45-foot Christmas tree transported downtown ahead of Light Up Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A sure sign that Christmas is on its way, the tree that will serve as the centerpiece of Light Up Louisville arrived downtown Tuesday morning.

The 45-foot-tall Norway Spruce was cut down Tuesday morning at the Forum at Brookside, a retirement community off Shelbyville Road in east Louisville. Several trees around the area were considered.

A resident chorus sang before the first cut as a way to honor the 40-year-old tree. The Norway Spruce was cut down and hoisted onto a flat bed. Santa was there, too, and even helped a little bit.

Residents of The Forum at Brookside said they're proud to see a piece of their home bringing happiness to others.

"We hate to see it go, because it is such a beautiful tree, but we are donating it from the forum, and it's just magical for us," one resident said.

Louisville Metro Public Works then slowly transported the tree 15 miles downtown, setting it up at Jefferson Square Park to be the focal point of Light Up Louisville. Crews spend more than an hour securing it to its base.

Sara Shaw, executive director of The Forum at Brookside, said they can't wait to see their tree in all its glory.

"We are thrilled," she said. "It has been a sentinel here at the forum. It has welcomed so many thousands of residents and families that we're just thrilled that it is having its second purpose now."

This year, the city will hold the annual holiday tradition Saturday, Dec. 2, which is a week later than usual. The city says pushing the event back allows city employees to spend Thanksgiving with their families.