Special to Independent Newsmedia
The tallest Christmas tree in Arizona will make its way to North Phoenix this week.
For a 24th consecutive year, Outlets North Phoenix, in Anthem, will host the state’s tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree. The 70-foot-tall tree will arrive at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, making its way to the Outlets on a 40-foot flatbed truck and be accompanied by Santa Claus riding in a Daisy Mountain fire engine.
Weather permitting the tree will be lifted into place with an industrial crane at 7:45 a.m.
The official tree lighting ceremony and free holiday concert will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Outlets located at 4250 W. Anthem Way.
Performers at the concert include “American Idol” contestant Drew Ryn and “The Voice” contestant Jules.
This year’s white fir comes from the Shasta-Trinity National Forest on the California/Oregon border. It measures roughly 70 feet tall and 20 feet wide.
More than 1.5 miles of LED lights, approximately 10,000 bulbs, will illuminate the tree, along with 5,000 ornaments and bows. Each year, the tree is topped with a three-foot-tall copper star, a nod to Arizona’s official metal.
When completely decorated, the tree will weigh close to four tons.
After traveling 750 miles to the Outlets North Phoenix, a 10-person team of experts will spend two weeks – and more than 120 hours – using articulating boom lifts to shape and decorate the tree.
To ensure the tree is kept fresh all season long, it is housed in a custom-made seven-foot deep well and sprayed with nearly 120 gallons of fire retardant. Six industrial wires hold the tall tree in place and stabilize it during windy weather.
(Photo provided by Outlets North Phoenix)
(Photo provided by Outlets North Phoenix)
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(Photo provided by Outlets North Phoenix)
The forest is then replanted with more than 25 saplings from this tree to replenish the area.