Christmas tree for Boston to come from Cape Breton

IRONVILLE — A Cape Breton non-profit is donating a 60-year-old, 48-foot white spruce tree to Boston as part of a 50-year-old annual Christmas tradition known as Tree for Boston.

The provincial government announced Monday that this year's tree will be cut in Orangedale on Nov. 10 and then journey from Halifax to Boston.

Nova Scotia sends a tree to Boston each year to thank the city for its aid in the aftermath of the Halifax Explosion that happened Dec. 6, 1917.

L'arche Cape Breton, a non-profit organization that creates safe, supportive homes and meaningful work for people with disabilities, donated the tree.

Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton said the gesture is a symbol of Nova Scotia's appreciation and friendship.

"We will never forget the kindness the people of Boston showed Nova Scotia following the tragedy of the Halifax Explosion,” Rushton said in a news release.

Because of the pandemic, the province is partnering with the Port of Halifax, container terminal PSA Halifax, and transportation company Eimskip Canada to transport the tree on a container vessel to Boston.

Members of the L'arche Cape Breton community will attend the tree-cutting ceremony to celebrate the annual tradition.

"In response to the explosion in 1917, Boston extended a hand of friendship to Halifax, which was accepted with open arms and returned with an endless thanksgiving through the Tree for Boston,” said Mukthar Limpao, the executive director of L'arche Cape Breton. "This connects deeply with us in L'arche. In the service of our mission, we aspire to build the same values of relationship and gratitude every day."

The tree will reach its destination for an in-person tree-lighting ceremony on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Boston Common.