A family in the Calgary neighbourhood of Beddington Heights is celebrating a special milestone as a spruce tree planted by their daughter 30 years ago will be adorned in lights in front of the McDougall Centre in downtown Calgary. Daniel Langer, who was just two years old when the tree was planted, shared that the tree was given to his sister in Grade 3, and they planted it in their backyard where it has stood ever since. The decision to cut down the tree and move it to downtown Calgary was inspired by the belief that every tree planted wants to be a Christmas tree, giving this particular tree the chance to fulfill that desire.
Arborists carefully cut the evergreen tree and loaded it onto a flatdeck with the help of a crane, preparing it for transportation to its new location in downtown Calgary. The tree will be decorated with more than 1,400 lights by city crews, with the full unveiling scheduled to take place on Thursday. This holiday tradition is a way to honor the tree that has been a part of the Langer family’s life for the past 30 years and to give it the recognition it deserves as a symbol of Christmas. Despite the tree’s absence from their yard, the Langer family plans to plant a fruit tree in its place come spring.
The story of the spruce tree’s journey from a backyard in Beddington Heights to downtown Calgary reflects the deep connection that people often have with nature and the special meaning that trees can hold in their lives. The decision to move the tree to a public space where it will be enjoyed by many serves as a reminder of the importance of honoring and preserving nature’s beauty. By decorating the tree with holiday lights, the city of Calgary is not only celebrating the Christmas season but also paying tribute to the tree’s long history and the memories it holds for the Langer family.
The Langer family’s tree planting tradition, which began with Langer’s sister receiving the spruce tree as a gift in Grade 3, has now come full circle as the tree is transformed into a Christmas tree for all to enjoy. The decision to share the tree’s beauty with the public demonstrates a sense of generosity and community spirit that is heartwarming and inspiring. This gesture of kindness and goodwill encapsulates the true meaning of the holiday season and serves as a reminder of the importance of coming together to celebrate and cherish the natural world around us.
As the tree is prepared for its new role as a Christmas tree in front of the McDougall Centre, the Langer family reflects on the memories and significance that the tree holds for them. Despite the tree’s physical absence from their yard, the Langer family’s decision to plant a fruit tree in its place symbolizes the circle of life and the continuation of their family’s connection to nature. The tree’s journey from a small sapling in their backyard to a fully decorated Christmas tree in downtown Calgary is a testament to the enduring power of nature and the enduring memories that it can create for families and communities alike.
