NEWS

PHOTOS: Wilmington's Largest Living Christmas Tree

A City of Wilmington, Parks and Landscaping dept. crew is working on the upgrades at Hilton Park in preparation for the upcomming holiday season. A new fence will surround the giant Live Oak tree, that when decorated is billed as the World's Largest Living Christmas Tree (CQ).
A City of Wilmington, Parks and Landscaping dept. crew is working on the upgrades at Hilton Park in preparation for the upcomming holiday season. A new fence will surround the giant Live Oak tree, that when decorated is billed as the World's Largest Living Christmas Tree (CQ).
Wilmington StarNews
Three-year-old Madison Franquiz (CQ)of Leland (CQ) looks around at the crowd after asking her father Ron where Rudolph was shortly after the lighting of the World Largest Living Christmas Tree in Wilmington. The tree which is estimated at fifty feet tall and seventy five feet wide is strung with 7,000 lights on 2 miles of wire will be on every night from 5:30 pm - 10pm till December 31, 2000.
Three-year-old Madison Franquiz (CQ)of Leland (CQ) looks around at the crowd after asking her father Ron where Rudolph was shortly after the lighting of the World Largest Living Christmas Tree in Wilmington. The tree which is estimated at fifty feet tall and seventy five feet wide is strung with 7,000 lights on 2 miles of wire will be on every night from 5:30 pm - 10pm till December 31, 2000.
Wilmington StarNews
The "World's Largest Living Christmas Tree" erupts in light during the annual lighting of the oak Friday night at Hilton Park. The oak tree, estimated at over 400 years old,has been lit almost every year for the past 67 years and this year features 7000 lights strung on two miles of wire. A three second exposure with a zoom lens captured the effect.
The "World's Largest Living Christmas Tree" erupts in light during the annual lighting of the oak Friday night at Hilton Park. The oak tree, estimated at over 400 years old,has been lit almost every year for the past 67 years and this year features 7000 lights strung on two miles of wire. A three second exposure with a zoom lens captured the effect.
Wilmington StarNews
People gather around Hilton Park on a Friday night after the lighting of what the city calls the World's Largest Living Christmas Tree.
People gather around Hilton Park on a Friday night after the lighting of what the city calls the World's Largest Living Christmas Tree.
Wilmington StarNews
The World's Largest Living Christmas Tree was lit Friday night in Hilton Park.
The World's Largest Living Christmas Tree was lit Friday night in Hilton Park.
Wilmington StarNews
People line up to see Santa Claus at the 80th annual lighting of the world's largest living Christmas tree in Hilton Park in Wilmington Thursday, December 3, 2009. Thursday night was the only night that Santa will make an appearance but the tree is open to the public from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. through December 31. The tree is approximately 50 feet tall and 75 feet wide and is estimated to be between 400-450 years old. Staff Photo By Matt Born/Wilmington Star-News.
People line up to see Santa Claus at the 80th annual lighting of the world's largest living Christmas tree in Hilton Park in Wilmington Thursday, December 3, 2009. Thursday night was the only night that Santa will make an appearance but the tree is open to the public from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. through December 31. The tree is approximately 50 feet tall and 75 feet wide and is estimated to be between 400-450 years old. Staff Photo By Matt Born/Wilmington Star-News.
Wilmington StarNews
A boy reaches for the light during the lighting of the World Largest Living Christmas tree at Hilton Park in wilmington
A boy reaches for the light during the lighting of the World Largest Living Christmas tree at Hilton Park in wilmington
Wilmington StarNews
The first lighting of what is now know as the "World's Largest Living Christmas Tree" on Christmas Eve, 1928 in Wilmington, North Carolina. Citing security issues around the Sweeney Water Treatment Plant, the City of Wilmington is considering a fenced perimeter around the Hilton Street landmark, and a possible relocation of the traditional ceremonies for future Christmas lightings. Star-News file photo / WILMINGTON STAR NEWS
The first lighting of what is now know as the "World's Largest Living Christmas Tree" on Christmas Eve, 1928 in Wilmington, North Carolina. Citing security issues around the Sweeney Water Treatment Plant, the City of Wilmington is considering a fenced perimeter around the Hilton Street landmark, and a possible relocation of the traditional ceremonies for future Christmas lightings. Star-News file photo / WILMINGTON STAR NEWS
Wilmington StarNews
Four-year-old Rocco D'Josey is silhouetted by the world's largest living Christmas Tree as he sits atop his father, Edward's shoulders Friday night at Hilton Park in Wilmington. The tree which has 2 miles of wires illuminating the approximately 4,000 light which decorate the tree estimated to be between 400 and 450 years old. Staff Photo By JEFFREY S. OTTO / WILMINGTON STAR NEWS
Four-year-old Rocco D'Josey is silhouetted by the world's largest living Christmas Tree as he sits atop his father, Edward's shoulders Friday night at Hilton Park in Wilmington. The tree which has 2 miles of wires illuminating the approximately 4,000 light which decorate the tree estimated to be between 400 and 450 years old. Staff Photo By JEFFREY S. OTTO / WILMINGTON STAR NEWS
Wilmington StarNews
Left to right, Four generations- Jodi Crowell-Lanier, 41, Celenda James, 59, and Maude Blackburn, 82, with Kendall Lanier, 3, in her lap in front of the Worlds Largest Living Christmas Tree. Staff Photo By Mike Spencer/STAR-NEWS
Left to right, Four generations- Jodi Crowell-Lanier, 41, Celenda James, 59, and Maude Blackburn, 82, with Kendall Lanier, 3, in her lap in front of the Worlds Largest Living Christmas Tree. Staff Photo By Mike Spencer/STAR-NEWS
Wilmington StarNews
Michael Williams holds Carter Atkinson, 4, on his shoulders as the The WorldÕs Largest Living Christmas Tree, an oak that is believed to be more than 400 years old and covered with 5,250 bulbs, is lit in WilmingtonÕs Hilton Park at The 79th Annual Lighting of the WorldÕs Largest Living Christmas Tree Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008. Since the opening of the Martin Luther King Parkway, itÕs a little Tougher than it used to be to get to Hilton Park, where workers will flip the switch to light the WorldÕs Largest Living Christmas Tree at 6 tonight. From the east, head west on Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. Take the Burgaw exit (N.C. 133). Turn left (almost a U-turn, actually) onto Castle Hayne Road and continue across Smith Creek to J.E.L. Wade Drive, just past the silver historical marker commemorating Cornelius Harnett, the colonial patriot on whose homestead the ancient oak still stands. From north of town, just follow Castle Hayne Road to J.E.L. Wade Drive. From downtown, head north on Third Street and onto the parkway, and get off on McRae Street. Turn left onto McRae, and make another left onto Castle Hayne Road, ignoring the dead-end signs and continuing to J.E.L. Wade Drive. Staff Photo By Mike Spencer/STAR-NEWS
Michael Williams holds Carter Atkinson, 4, on his shoulders as the The WorldÕs Largest Living Christmas Tree, an oak that is believed to be more than 400 years old and covered with 5,250 bulbs, is lit in WilmingtonÕs Hilton Park at The 79th Annual Lighting of the WorldÕs Largest Living Christmas Tree Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008. Since the opening of the Martin Luther King Parkway, itÕs a little Tougher than it used to be to get to Hilton Park, where workers will flip the switch to light the WorldÕs Largest Living Christmas Tree at 6 tonight. From the east, head west on Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. Take the Burgaw exit (N.C. 133). Turn left (almost a U-turn, actually) onto Castle Hayne Road and continue across Smith Creek to J.E.L. Wade Drive, just past the silver historical marker commemorating Cornelius Harnett, the colonial patriot on whose homestead the ancient oak still stands. From north of town, just follow Castle Hayne Road to J.E.L. Wade Drive. From downtown, head north on Third Street and onto the parkway, and get off on McRae Street. Turn left onto McRae, and make another left onto Castle Hayne Road, ignoring the dead-end signs and continuing to J.E.L. Wade Drive. Staff Photo By Mike Spencer/STAR-NEWS
Wilmington StarNews
Spectators linger after the lighting of the World's Largest Living Christmas Tree in Wilmington, NC, Friday, December 10, 2004. Homeland Security concerns could mean an end to the 80-year tradition; the tree is located too close to Wilmingon's water tretment plant. Staff Photo By LOGAN WALLACE/WILMINGTON STAR-NEWS
Spectators linger after the lighting of the World's Largest Living Christmas Tree in Wilmington, NC, Friday, December 10, 2004. Homeland Security concerns could mean an end to the 80-year tradition; the tree is located too close to Wilmingon's water tretment plant. Staff Photo By LOGAN WALLACE/WILMINGTON STAR-NEWS
Wilmington StarNews
Michael Thorpe (cq) holds his 4-year-old daughter Alexis Thorpe on his shoulders during the lighting of the "World's Largest Living Christmas Tree" Friday, December 12, 2003 at Hilton Park. The oak tree is covered with roughly 5,000 lights.
Michael Thorpe (cq) holds his 4-year-old daughter Alexis Thorpe on his shoulders during the lighting of the "World's Largest Living Christmas Tree" Friday, December 12, 2003 at Hilton Park. The oak tree is covered with roughly 5,000 lights.
Wilmington StarNews
Santa and Mrs. Claus (Rosemary (L) and Ricky Midgette (CQ)) pose for a photo in front of the World's Largest Living Christmas Tree at Hilton Park in Wilmington on Friday December 12, 2008. Staff Photo by MARK COURTNEY / WILMINGTON STAR-NEWS)
Santa and Mrs. Claus (Rosemary (L) and Ricky Midgette (CQ)) pose for a photo in front of the World's Largest Living Christmas Tree at Hilton Park in Wilmington on Friday December 12, 2008. Staff Photo by MARK COURTNEY / WILMINGTON STAR-NEWS)
Wilmington StarNews
Santa expresses his holiday cheer as he presents "the ornament" in front of the World's Largest Living Christmas Tree (CQ) at Hilton Park on Friday, December 12, 2008. Staff Photo by MARK COURTNEY / WILMINGTON STAR-NEWS)
Santa expresses his holiday cheer as he presents "the ornament" in front of the World's Largest Living Christmas Tree (CQ) at Hilton Park on Friday, December 12, 2008. Staff Photo by MARK COURTNEY / WILMINGTON STAR-NEWS)
Wilmington StarNews