Tree selected to stand in Greencastle square for Christmas

As is usually the case, a tree that is beautiful and fits the landscape well becomes inappropriate for a property. It keeps growing, and gets too big for the site. The fate is usually to be cut down ignominiously, but once in a while, a tree is given a second chance to bring joy to others. Sometimes it ends up in Greencastle Center Square.

Such is the case for the 30 foot Blue Spruce at 7518 Friendship Village Road in Kauffman. Wayne and Karen Lehman, who have lived at the address since 1978, planted the young evergreen around 1993.

“It was our Christmas tree. We bought it with a bulb in it,” said their son Delmer. “Then we planted it.”

Through the years, the tree stood side by side with another evergreen, which was short and wide, compared to this one that was tall and narrow. The other one was taken down some time ago. Now it is time for this one to go.

“It has to,” said Wayne. “It’s grown into the wires.”

The tree was selected by Greencastle-Antrim Chamber of Commerce to be featured during Heritage Christmas. It was cut down Friday, Nov. 14 and set in the square under the direction of GW Electric. The company will then string lights on the tree and encircle the intersection at the center of town.

The tree will be illuminated during festivities Friday, Nov. 21. The switch will be flipped by a child, who will be the grand marshall at the Heritage Christmas parade the next morning.

“Now we want Greencastle to enjoy the tree,” said Karen.