#TBT: A look back at the world’s largest living Christmas tree

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — It’s Christmas Eve, and this Throwback Thursday we’re looking back on what was once the world’s largest living Christmas Tree, which was right here in the Port City.

Starting in the 1920s J.E.L. Wade, Wilmington’s Santa mayor who we told you about a few weeks ago, started the tradition of lighting up the living tree for all to enjoy.

Before it was taken down this year horticulturists believed the tree to have been more than 400 years old. But wood from the tree was put to good use when it was donated to ‘Kids Making It’ so it could be used to make Christmas ornaments.