Pickerington officials are seeking help to ring in the holidays for the city's annual tree-lighting ceremony.
If anyone has a spare pine tree, preferably a blue spruce at least 15 feet tall, or one for which there is no longer a use, the city of Pickerington will gladly take it off your hands.
City officials are seeking the donation of such a tree for the annual public holiday tree display at the northwest corner of Center and Columbus streets.
"Typically, we'll just locate a lot or somewhere else where a tree needs to be removed," Mayor Mitch O'Brien said. "The problem is, at your average tree lot, you're not going to find a tree big enough.
"I received a lot of comments last year. A standard tree in the location we have it, when you drive by, it's lower than the road so it looks more like a Christmas bush than a Christmas tree."
Prospective donors could have their tree used as the official city holiday tree, which will be on display in the Olde Pickerington downtown gazebo. It will be a centerpiece of the annual Holiday Gathering in the Village celebration, sponsored by the Olde Pickerington Business Association, which is slated for 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4.
The ceremonial tree-lighting is planned for at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4.
"A lot of times when we get into the fall, people are doing different things and they need to have a tree removed," O'Brien said. "We'll actually come out and do it for them and save them the cost of getting the tree removed."
Those interested in donating a tree are asked to contact the city via e-mail at fspears@pickerington.net, or by telephone at (614) 837-3974. Prospective donors also can call Olde Pickerington Business Association president Keely Weaver at (614) 837-6700.
"It's a well-attended community event, and we hope to get a bigger tree this year," O'Brien said of the annual celebration. "About 15 to 18 feet would work."
nellis@thisweeknews.com