How a piece of an iconic N.S. tree brought down by Fiona became Christmas ornaments | 24CA News
Halifax resident Steve Proctor was devastated when a legendary tree close to Shubenacadie, N.S., was felled by post-tropical storm Fiona in September.
He had spent years photographing the tree and taking a look at it out his window on his many drives between Halifax and Truro.
He acquired an concept a number of weeks after the storm. He would make Christmas ornaments from one of many fallen branches.
“It was quite emotional doing them, and I even saved the sawdust when I was using the saw because it felt kind of sacred,” mentioned Proctor.
The 300-year-old tree was iconic for a lot of Nova Scotians.
It stood alone in a big area subsequent to Highway 102. It attracted swaths of photographers and guests through the years.
There was an outpouring of emotion when it got here down.
Proctor revamped 100 ornaments and coasters with the department. They have been made by slicing the department into items, drilling a gap for the ribbon and attaching one in every of his personal photographs of the tree.
Anne Boudreau purchased 5 of the ornaments — one for every of her 4 youngsters and one for herself.
New ornaments are a Christmas Eve custom for her household. When she heard about Proctor’s venture, she knew they might be the right reward.
“I guess that’s a little bit of bittersweet because it is gone, but also a nice reminder to have this piece of memorabilia,” she mentioned.
Boudreau lives in Milford, N.S., not removed from the place the tree as soon as stood. She mentioned it carried a energy that drew folks in.
To have a chunk of that along with her, she mentioned, is an excellent feeling.
“It’s a certain amount of warmth and gratitude to nature and a reminder of all the beautiful things that we do appreciate around us in nature” she mentioned.
Proctor is donating a part of the proceeds from the creations to Fiona reduction.
“I’m lucky and there are other people who are not so lucky, and who need help and still continue to need help, and this is a small way that I can do that and give back,” Proctor mentioned.
