'Great lesson for Orillia': City plants new civic Christmas tree

On Tuesday morning, a new blue spruce took its rightful place in front of the Orillia Opera House, becoming Orillia's new civic Christmas tree.

Following the removal of the former blue spruce, which stood tall at around 35 feet in downtown Orillia for parts of six decades, city staff began looking for a new tree in May.

Shortly after, the Orillia Fish and Game Conservation Club offered to donate a black spruce tree to the city, but city arborists determined it wasn't a good choice for longevity. 

After considering local farms for sourcing the tree and receiving offers from residents, Coun. Ralph Cipolla found the best option at the West Orillia Sports Complex in late August.

"I picked it out," he said proudly Tuesday morning. "I was out there looking to improve some of the facilities when I saw the tree. I thought it was perfect."

Cipolla says the blue spruce, that stands about 24 feet tall, will enhance the downtown core.

"It has a beautiful colour to it," he said. "It's fuller and not branched down quite as much as the other one was."

Cipolla says the tree is a meaningful symbol for Orillians. When the former "Fred's Tree" was taken down, many residents contacted him to ensure it would be replaced.

Installing the tree cost the city less than $7,000. Cipolla raised $5,000 of that through public donations.

"People have been very supportive," he said. "They are thankful that we've brought it back."   

Cipolla notes that Landon Homes donated $1,000 toward the tree's installation, but most of the donations were made by residents.

"One person who donated $20 couldn't even afford it," he said. "They wanted to be a part of this."

Last year, Fred's Tree was infamously featured on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon for the lighting fiasco that went viral.

Cipolla says there is around $2,000 left in the budget to purchase new Christmas lighting for the tree this year.

"You will be amazed when you see it," he said. "Nobody will be disappointed like last time."

While Cipolla predicts the tree will brighten spirits during the holiday season, it will also preserve Orillia's history and the legacy of Fred Noakes, who was responsible for planting the original tree.

Mayor Don McIsaac was also on hand on Tuesday to see the new tree. He says it's a part of Orillia's legacy.

"It was here for more than 50 years initially," he said. "I think it's important that we replace it and give it the dedication it deserves."

McIsaac says the new tree will serve as a reminder of how Orillians rallied around the former Fred's tree last year to raise money for local charities. 

"It was a great lesson for Orillia," he said. "Orillians raised maybe $10,000 for local charities, the Sharing Place included. It's wonderful that citizens gather together in times of need."

McIsaac says he likes the new tree, saying it's a welcome addition to downtown. 

"It's obviously smaller and a less mature tree," he said. "But that will give it a longer run time to be here."

McIsaac says he's excited to see the tree lit up for the holiday season next month, especially after the controversy that surrounded last year's tree-lighting event.

"It's going to be great," he said. "Nov. 22 is the day we are going to turn it on, so we look forward to that."