Unique Christmas Trees Across America

When it comes to Christmas trees, you can go the traditional route—a stately fir wrapped in sparkling lights and tinsel. However, you can also stack a bunch of lobster traps and wrap them with colorful buoys. These seven Christmas trees put a unique spin on the holiday celebrations.

San Clemente, California

When it comes to holiday celebrations, this Southern California city does it big. Measuring 100ft, this year’s towering white fir is billed as the “Tallest Christmas Tree in OC.” Located at The Outlets at the San Clemente, the massive tree has more than 18,000 multicolored lights and 10,000 bows and ornaments.

Chandler, Arizona

Who needs a spruce or a fir when you can have tumbleweed? Yes, a tumbleweed. Since 1957, every holiday season, the city of Chandler collects tumbleweeds to construct a 30ft Christmas tree. The tumbleweeds are attached to chicken wire, a process that takes about a week. Later, the tree is coated with flame-retardant and about 25 gallons of white paint along with 65 pounds of glitter. Throw on some lights and a twinkling star, and the end result is a stunning display that truly represents the city.

Pierre, South Dakota

Sometimes, more is better. More than 80 beautifully decorated Christmas trees line the halls of the South Dakota Capitol every holiday season. Each tree is decorated to reflect the year’s theme. This year marks the event’s 40th anniversary with the theme “Winter Wishes.” The centerpiece tree is a 25-foot Colorado Blue Spruce.

San Francisco, California

Covered in crystals and measuring 50ft tall, Westfield San Francisco Centre’s Christmas tree is a stunning sight. What makes this attraction truly unique is that it’s dangling upside down from the mall’s Level 4 dome.

Upside-down Christmas trees date back to the Middle Ages and are believed to symbolize Christianity. They were sometimes decorated with nuts, fruits, and sweet treats, as was the tradition in parts of Poland.

Westfield’s upside-down Christmas tree has garnered both elation and criticism since its 2016 unveiling.

Lahaina, Hawaii

Planted in 1873, Lahaina’s banyan tree is an iconic symbol of the city. Every holiday season, Hawaii’s biggest tree that spreads over an acre is wrapped with over 6,500 lights, creating a truly magical scene.

Gloucester, Massachusetts

It doesn’t get more New England than this. Standing 40ft high and outfitted with hand-painted buoys from local residents and sparkling lights, Gloucester’s lobster trap Christmas tree is a beloved icon every holiday season. This tradition began in 2001.

Lynchburg, Tennessee

There’s really only one way to do Christmas in Lynchburg— with whiskey. Using 140 Jack Daniel’s American White Oak Whiskey barrels, the city erects a 26ft tall Christmas tree draped in sparkling festive lights and topped with a shining star. This tradition began in 2011.

Replicas of the tree have been erected all over the country, with the top barrel of each tree going up for auction, and the proceeds benefiting a charity that assists junior-enlisted service members and families travel from their place of military service back home for the holidays.

This article was first published Dec 7, 2020 and updated Nov 29, 2021.