Did you know that the tree featured in Boston Common is a gift from Nova Scotia?
Every year a tree is brought 660 miles from Nova Scotia to Boston. But why does Nova Scotia gift Boston its most famous Christmas tree every year? The simple answer is that Nova Scotia wants to show its gratitude to the city for aid during the deadliest non-natural disaster in Canadian history: the Halifax Explosion. Last year marked 100 years since the explosion and a century of friendship between Boston and Nova Scotia. Some question whether Boston should consider the debt paid and get a local tree. However, I love this tradition and think that it should stay. It demonstrates the goodwill of each city and it’s the best kind of tradition: one based upon friendship.
So what happened on that day in Nova Scotia and how did Boston help?
It all started with a ship collision in Halifax Harbour on December 6, 1917. A French munitions ship called Mont-Blanc,carrying 3,000 tons or 6 million pounds of explosives, was passing through the harbor. Who thought that many explosives on board one ship was a good idea? This WAS during World War I and the ship was headed to France where the explosives were going to be used to fight the Central Powers. The Mont-Blonccollided with a Norwegian cargo ship called Imo. At first the ship only caught fire and of course many came to the harbor to see the gigantic ship aflame. Unfortunately, its cargo of explosives detonated leveling most of downtown Halifax.
The tragic event left about 25,000 people homeless, wounded nearly 9,000 people and killed roughly 2,000 people. It was a disaster of epic proportions and the deadliest non-natural disaster in Canadian history. It also remains the deadliest non-nuclear explosion in history, but Nova Scotia was not alone.
Within 24 hours of the explosion, Boston dispatched money, supplies and medical personnel when Nova Scotia was in need. Everything was shipped by train and through one of the worst blizzards that maritime-Canada had ever seen. The train brought Boston’s leading physicians and surgeons, nurses and hospital supplies. Boston contributed nearly $750,000 in relief when all was said and done.
The following Christmas, Nova Scotia sent a tree to Boston as a thank you for helping in its greatest time of need. Another tree was sent in 1971 and Boston has gotten a tree from up north every year since. It’s not just any old tree though; it needs to meet certain criteria. The tree must be 40-50 feet in height, it must be either a white or red spruce, or a balsam fir and it must be uniform and symmetrical. It must also have good color and medium to heavy density. Nova Scotia really does pick the perfect tree for Boston Common each year. It’s a special bond borne out of tragedy, but that is now based upon mutual respect and friendship.
You’ve already missed the lighting of the tree this year but you can see the Boston Common Christmas Tree until after the New Year!
