SALT LAKE CITY - The Gateway mall in Salt Lake City brought in a 50-foot, 13,000-pound Douglas Fir to continue their annual tradition of having a Christmas tree on display.
Crews had the help of a huge crane to cut the tree down and ship it to the fountain at the Gateway mall.
"We have to place the tree out in the yard then hook it onto the crane and stand it up straight," said Bruce Heltman, the project's engineer. "The cables are rated at breaking strength of 12,000 pounds and we have 6 cables holding it up so there you go."
The tree was donated from the Woodhead family in Cottonwood Heights, who have had it in nearly all their family and holiday photos, but the tree has outgrown their yard and had to be removed. They decided to donate it to the Gateway rather than just throwing it away.
"This has been a tradition for Gateway this is our 11th year here this tree has been something that is always been donated," said Rocelle Fraser with the Gateway.
The mall will hold the Light up the Night tree-lighting ceremony next Saturday, Nov. 17, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
