If you live in Ramsey County and are in possession of an evergreen tree that has outgrown its space — or know of such a tree — the Union Depot wants you to start thinking about Christmas in July.
The transit hub and entertainment venue in St. Paul’s Lowertown has launched its search for the next Hub for the Holidays tree.
Organizers are seeking a 50- to 70-foot evergreen to anchor the venue’s Hub for the Holidays event series, which will include the Holiday Tree Lighting celebration on Saturday, Dec. 7.
If the tree is selected, there will be no cost for its removal or to grind down its stump, which is approximately a $5,000-plus value.
The family of the tree owner will also be able to participate in the Holiday Tree Lighting celebration.
RELATED: O Christmas tree, your lights shine for Peggy: The story of Union Depot’s 2022 holiday tree
The opportunity is a beautiful finale for any evergreen: Illuminated with more than 15,000 energy-efficient LED lights and visible from the North Plaza at Union Depot, the holiday tree is a sparkly focal point to travelers, event-goers and residents during the holiday season, which is among the busiest times of the year in this corner of St. Paul.
Here are the requirements for a tree to be considered:
- It must be located within Ramsey County.
- It must be an evergreen tree.
- It must have overgrown its location or have other reasons for removal.
- It must be in good condition as the tree will be viewed from 360 degrees (no bare spots or missing branches).
Those who would like to donate a tree for the event should email their address and a photo of the tree to [email protected] or call 651-202-2700. You can also submit the tree’s info via the Union Depot website at uniondepot.org/holiday/holiday-tree/.
The tree submission period lasts until Sept. 20. The Hub for the Holidays event schedule will also be announced around this date.
