York's Christmas tree arrives from New Salem

Thirty years ago, Sally Fringer's son used to jump over a blue spruce seedling planted in her front yard on Robinhood Drive in New Salem.

That seedling now stands higher than the Fringers' two-story home, and it will serve as this year's City of York Christmas tree.

Sally and Earl Fringer Jr.'s  tree was picked by York officials, who began the holiday tree-seeking process in July. After interested residents submitted information to donate their tree, city workers visited every home to evaluate the location on a variety of factors, including, access and utility proximity.

“I couldn't make the call to have a tree guy come in and take it down, because I couldn't handle the fact that it would just end up in a chipper,” Fringer said Monday. “I knew you could donate a tree to the city. This year, I thought, I have to do this. I have to make a call to see if it can go out as a Christmas Tree.”

How many lights will go on York's holiday tree?

The tree will be adorned with 3,000 LED Christmas lights, said David Rudolph, superintendent for the city's Electrical Bureau.

“It gives me exceeding joy that the people in the City of York, and wherever they come from, can see it,” Fringer said.

It took city workers more than an hour to remove the roughly 30-foot tree. All that remains is a stump. Also involved in the work to remove and transport the tree were crews and equipment from Lobar Construction and Jackson Cranes.

“We always commented on the Fringers' tree,” neighbor Cindy Plunkert said. She said she and her husband live in a nearby neighborhood, and they take walks through the Fringers' neighborhood. “As much as it is bitter sweet, we are sad to see it go. The tree gets one more season of glory before it goes to the chipper.”

Rudolph said the process to remove the tree was “pretty easy.”

He noted that normally, the city hears from 15 to 16 residents who are willing to donate a tree. This year, he said, he heard from 45 to 50 residents.

“We could tell from a quarter mile away, we were going to take this tree,” Rudolph said.

Standing in Continental Square in York, Dustin Hildebrand, co-leader of Punks for Positivity, said he saw prep for the tree's arrival last week.

“I will feel festive when it goes up,” Hildebrand said. “I love Christmas, I love spending time with family. I love the gift of giving, especially giving back to this city.”

When asked if he bought his Christmas tree, he said, “Mine's already up and decorated. I did it this weekend.”

The city tree will be lit up during York's Light Up Night festivities Dec. 4.

Video: The York community tree is coming!

Light Up Night

The City of York is planning holiday festivities 5 to 8 p.m. downtown during Light Up Night Dec. 4.

The tree ceremony, on Continental Square, will begin at 6:15 p.m. The night will include a visit from Santa.

There will be activities at multiple locations. More information is at events@yorkcity.org or call 717-849-2217.