Basking Ridge Donates Township Tree For Christmas

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — No need to fear a Christmas tree has been found and will be erected by the Basking Ridge Fire Company in the center of town on Nov. 30.

"We are happy to report we have a tree!" Basking Ridge Fire Co. No 1 & EMS announced. "Thank you for your response — we received many offers of trees and are looking forward to showing you the result Nov. 30 on the green!"

Up until Tuesday, the fire company was having trouble finding a tree for the annual celebration. They put a call out asking residents to donate a tree. (See Related: Basking Ridge Has No Tree For Christmas This Year)

"The tree wound up coming from a piece of Bernards Township owned property. The tree was going to have to come down in a few years due to its location," said Todd Middleton chairman of the BRFC's holiday committee.

The tree is about a 30-foot tall spruce which is "a little smaller then last year's tree, but a very nice shape on all sides which is very important," Middleton said.

Middleton thanked all the residents that wished to donate their trees. However, there are a few factors that need to come in to play when choosing the town tree.

Here is some of the criteria needed to be Basking Ridge's next Christmas tree:

• The tree can not be near any power lines
• The tree needs to be able to be reached on solid ground and accessible by the fire company's bucket truck and trailer in late November when the ground is still soft
• The tree needs to be perfect on all sides, no big holes in the branches and not too big for the fire company to handle or not too small.

"We like it to be like a tree you would choose to put in your house but much larger," Middleton said.

The fire company will be cutting the selected tree down and putting the lights on it on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 30 in the morning. They will also be hosting a fill the boot fundraiser in the center of town that morning.

For more information on the Basking Ridge Fire Company visit facebook.com/brfco.

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