Del Ray Holiday Tree Comes Down
Tree will be recycled by the city's Department of Transportation and Environmental Services.
Photos
On Monday, members of the Del Ray Business Association and Sheriff Dana Lawhorne took down the 800-pound holiday tree in the farmers market lot at the corner of Mount Vernon and E. Oxford avenues.
The tree was donated by “Mango” Mike Anderson and Bill Blackburn of Pork Barrel BBQ and Holy Cow restaurants. It was plucked from a farm in Maryland. A crane was needed to install the tree in early December and a cherry picker was used decorate the arbor.
“We owe Bill Blackburn and Mike Anderson such big thanks for all they did from start to finish,” DRBA officer Gayle Reuter said.
On Monday, Anderson, Blackburn and other DRBA members pulled the tree over and snipped some of its branches. An inmate detail from the Sheriff's Office was called in to break the tree down.
The city’s Department of Transportation and Environmental Services Department picked the tree up as part of its holiday tree recycling program.
To learn about how you can recycle your holiday tree in Alexandria, read this story.
Check out photos and video from the Dec. 7 tree-lighting ceremony.
In This article
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Del Ray Farmers Market
Mount Vernon Ave & E Oxford Ave, Alexandria, VA -
Pork Barrel BBQ
2312 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA -
Holy Cow - Del Ray's Gourmet Burger Joint
2312 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA -
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Nano
9:49 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
What, exactly, is a "holiday" tree? Do you mean Christmas tree? There is nothing wrong with calling it what it is.
Gail G
1:56 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The origin of having a decorated tree is actually pagan. If anything, it should be called a "solstice tree." There is nothing "Christmas" about it except our modern interpretation but it is no more Christian in nature than Santa and eight tiny reindeer or eggnog and whiskey or any of our other so called "Christmas" traditions. If you knew the real origin of the tradition of Christmas carols you would probably never sing again. Therefore, the term "holiday tree" is perfectly appropriate.
earthsteward1
2:33 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Thanks Gail, you are spot on. Decorating trees for winter solstice was/is a Pagan ritual, borrowed and altered by Christian religions. And you REALLY don't want to know about those Easter eggs!!!
McBrinn
8:17 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Whatever. It's a Christmas tree to 99% of us.
Derek Zeller
10:17 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Yes but the 1% seem to want to tell the 99% what to do so....
Gayle R.
12:37 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
The point of decorating the Avenue and putting up all the trees is for all 100% of the community and visitors to enjoy. Hopefully it did that. I know how much I enjoyed walking up and down the Avenue and seeing all the beautiful decorations. Thanks to Bill and Mike and to the Del Ray Business Association for making it possible.
Gail G
12:55 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
I call it a Christmas tree too, but the point is that it doesn't have to be a Christmas tree. It can be a holiday tree or a solstice tree or whatever anyone wants to call it.
Nano
12:02 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
Gail & Sherrie: Thank you for your responses to my post. Your "education" on the pagan origins of the tradition was unnecessary, as I am already aware of them, as are most people, I'm sure. The point remains that public displays of decorated trees in modern times during winter have always been in celebration of Christmas. To change the name of something that is not offensive, for fear that it might offend someone is sad. I am not offended by the term Hanukkah Menorah or Yule Log. Why should anyone be offended by the term Christmas tree. Happy Festivus everyone!
Derek Zeller
6:59 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
Nano! I fired my old hero, you are my new hero! Finally someone who writes something other than to see their name in print. BRAVO, BRAVO, indeed!
Gail G
8:32 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
I want to see a giant flying spaghetti monster at the site next Christmas season.