News release

Stewiacke Family Donates Christmas Tree for Boston

Natural Resources and Renewables

After years of serving as a family’s outdoor Christmas tree, this year’s Tree for Boston will soon be on its way from Stewiacke.

The 13.7-metre (45-foot) white spruce was donated by landowner Bette Gourley.

“Sending a tree to Boston is a deeply rooted tradition in Nova Scotia,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables. “We will be forever grateful for the aid Boston provided after the Halifax Explosion. And what better time of year to show that gratitude than around the holidays.”

The tree-cutting ceremony will take place on November 15 at 10:30 a.m. on the Gourley family’s property at 680 Hwy 2, Stewiacke.

Members of the community are welcome attend the event. Local Mi’kmaw Elder Joe Michael will do a smudging ceremony and gift offering before the tree is cut.

Quotes:

“We planted this tree 40 years ago, and we decorated it every year for Christmas until it got too tall. We’re very pleased and honoured that it’s this year’s Tree for Boston, in thanks for their help after the Halifax Explosion. My husband was very community minded, and our two sons and I try to carry on that spirit in our lives. We sincerely hope the people of Boston enjoy this tree as much as we have over the years.”

– Bette Gourley, Stewiacke

Quick Facts:

  • 2023 marks the 106th anniversary of the Halifax Explosion
  • the Tree for Boston is the Province’s annual thank you to Boston for sending medical personnel and supplies to Nova Scotia within hours of the Halifax Explosion in 1917
  • the explosion devastated north-end Halifax, killed nearly 2,000 people and left thousands more injured and homeless
  • the first Tree for Boston was donated by Joseph Slauenwhite from Lunenburg County
  • the Tree for Boston will leave Halifax on November 19; the City of Boston will hold its tree-lighting ceremony at Boston Common on November 30 at 7 p.m.

Additional Resources:

Tree for Boston:

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