The hunt for a tree for Lancaster’s holiday celebrations

(Lancaster) — It’s still a couple of weeks from Halloween, but Lancaster will soon choose the tree to bring some holiday cheer to its downtown square.And this is a prestigious honor: more than 30 were in the running.

Lancaster’s arborist Jim Bower first narrowed down the list of trees based on their size and shape, and whether they could be easily accessed by a crane.

And then the fun got started for Kathleen Peck.

“What we’re looking for is of course, a big, beautiful tree like we had last year. That was exquisite. And we’re trying to top that if possible,” she says.

Picking the tree is one of her duties as president of Lancaster’s Economic Action for Downtown’s Success group.

She says for some of those bidding for the honor, it’s a practical matter too.

“The one last year was exquisite, but it was little when the homeowners planted it. And it was right in front of their living room window, and it was just way too big for where it was.”

But it was perfect for the downtown square.

The city takes care of cutting and hauling expenses, and Peck’s group decorates the tree and the square.

The tree has a life after it’s month long stay – it’s turned into mulch.