Published 9/10/24
Updated 9/15/24

Ferndale community leaders are seeking contributions to keep America’s tallest living lighted Christmas tree maintained and powered for holiday seasons to come.

A tradition since 1934, the 162-foot-tall spruce tree at the end of Francis Street in Ferndale, California, is lit every year in early December and sparkles nightly throughout the Christmas season. Visible from Fernbridge some five miles away, the tree is one of the Victorian Village’s most recognized and beloved symbols.

The Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department, which hangs the lights on the tree every year, says that an arborist has recommended that the tree undergo some much-needed maintenance before this year’s lighting, scheduled for December 1 and led, as per tradition, by Ferndale 4-H. Additionally, Ferndale Rotary, which has generously overseen payment of the tree’s electric bill for many years, is seeking contributions to replenish that fund.

These updates were shared by FVFD Chief Rick Nicholson at the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce’s September 9 meeting.

The FVFD and the Village Club have already kicked in donations that should go far toward covering the tree’s most immediate maintenance needs, Nicholson said.

Contributions by other interested supporters would go toward longer-term maintenance and toward the electricity bill, which can run to as much as $1,700 per year, according to Nicholson.

FVFD plans to continue hanging the lights, with a transition to LED bulbs planned, Nicholson said. He added that the College of the Redwoods baseball team provided invaluable help hanging the lights last year.

Specific maintenance recommendations that FVFD has received for the tree include pruning, support cabling improvements, anchor system changes, and other tree health measures. Like many spruce trees in the area, Ferndale’s tree is also affected by aphids.

So, how can you help?

Those interested in supporting Ferndale’s Christmas tree can make a tax-deductible donation to:

The Ferndale Foundation
c/o Ferndale Rotary
PO Box 311
Ferndale, CA 95536
Note “Christmas” in the memo line.

Or, if you’d prefer to contribute online, you can use PayPal to send a contribution to the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce, which will forward any collected funds to the Ferndale Foundation. Find the Chamber on PayPal at @visitferndaleca, and please note “Christmas/Ferndale Foundation” in the memo.

The upkeep and lighting of the tree is a team effort involving many in the Ferndale community. With supporters’ help, locals and visitors will be able to enjoy the glow again this December and for many more years to come!

Contacts:

Ferndale Rotary: rotaryclubofferndale1968@gmail.com, Facebook

Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department: 707-786-9909, chief@ferndalefire.org, ferndalefire.org

Ferndale Chamber of Commerce: info@visitferndale.com, (707) 786-4477

Update, 9/15/24: Thanks to the Times-Standard for this news coverage.

“It’s an older tree, and as we all get older, we all need health care, so to speak,” said Rick Nicholson, fire chief of the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department. …
Nicholson said the 162-foot-tall tree could use some pruning, lichen removal and added nutrients to help strengthen against resident spruce aphids. Aphid treatment is more of a long-term goal that requires pricier treatments.
“The arborist we’ve been using has been doing a lot of the maintenance for free, but right now, it’s just a little more than they can take on or donate. So that’s why we came to the community to help fund some of that, and also help fund the electricity bill,” he said. …
Long-term, there are goals to replace the bulbs with LEDs and find grant funding to pay for the electricity, currently overseen by Ferndale Rotary. But for now, the groups are seeking donations to keep the tradition going strong. …
“We’re not in a crisis mode yet with the tree, but, it’s one of those things that’s working towards the future,” Nicholson said.