Wilmington Christmas tree tradition taking year off

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The so-called World’s Largest Living Christmas Tree will not light up this winter. The City of Wilmington will likely move the tree-lighting to another location.

City Council talked about the move during its agenda briefing meeting Monday morning. The change in plans is necessary because of construction work at the Sweeney Water Treatment Plant next to where the tree stands in northern Wilmington. The construction makes access to the site this year dangerous.

“There was talk of lighting the tree anyway and letting people to drive by, but I said, ‘Just don’t light it. You don’t want to draw people to that mess down there,'” councilman Kevin O’Grady said.

O’Grady said this year the tree-lighting will likely move downtown. After that, it’s still up in the air. The aging live oak is struggling. O’Grady said city staff will likely suggest several locations for the future, including the current location.

We’ll have more on this story on WWAY NewsChannel 3 starting at 5 p.m.