Downtown Mansfield is about to get a lot more festive for the holidays. This year’s Christmas tree arrived at Richland Carrousel Park late Friday morning. Traffic was stopped on N. Main and Fourth streets for a short time while the truck and trailer hauling the tree, and the crane used to lift it, moved into position next to the carrousel.
“It’s the biggest tree we’ve ever had,” said City of Mansfield Service Dept. Supervisor David Lorenz. The tree had to be weighed by the crane and it weighed in at 2,900 pounds; it’s an estimated 50 feet tall.
“Every year the city selects someone who offered to donate a tree. We cut the tree down, remove the stump, and reseed the grass,” added Lorenz. Ray Smith of Shelly Smith & Sons of Mansfield has used their crane services for a number of years. “We want to thank them,” noted Lorenz, “We certainly do appreciate it.”
Lorenz described the tree cutting and erecting as a collaborative effort between the city and local businesses.
This year’s tree was donated by David and Doreen Urton of Mansfield. Doreen Urton stood nearby as the tree was put into position outside of the carrousel building. She explained that they are renting their home from Kurt Stimens who she said graciously allowed them to have the tree removed.
Her neighbors said the tree was no more than three feet tall when they first saw it planted about 25 years ago. The Urtons have only lived in the home for approximately one year. “The neighbors on either side said they just watched it grow and grow,” she said.
“The tree was encroaching upon the driveway,” stated Urton, “Our neighbor two houses down told us about this program for donating the tree because he did it a couple of years ago.”
“I’m so excited to see when it’s all dressed out,” added Urton, “Children will come enjoy it.”
As she watched the crane lift the three into an upright position, Urton noted, “It’s still so beautiful, and it’s so much nicer that it can have this kind of end to its life.”
“Christmas Time in the City” will be held on Friday, Dec. 16 from 5-9 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Cleveland Financial Group and participants and spectators can enjoy watching the lighting ceremony for the city’s biggest tree in addition to other activities.
“I’m so excited to see when it’s all dressed out,” added Doreen Urton, “Children will come enjoy it.”
