"Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world…"
John Muir, naturalist and conservationist
By Lynn Petry
lynn.petry@newsday.com
Standing tall in Northport Village Park at the foot of Main Street on the harbor is a 21-foot Norway Spruce that was not there two weeks ago because it grew somewhere else.
It was recently transplanted by the village from the property of Northport residents Carla and Henry Jennings, where it was a fixture of their family’s environment for more than twelve years.
When the tree became entangled with electrical wires, Carla Jennings knew that something had to be done and suggested to the village that it take the spruce to be used as a holiday tree in the annual lighting ceremony.
After the issue and expenses were approved by the village’s board of trustees, the Lamay Tree Company, local tree experts, went into action examining the tree to see if the spruce was healthy enough to handle the transplant. The tree got a big – green – thumbs up.
For the family, it was never an option to cut the tree down after all. It has a history with the Jennings family beginning with their daughter's plea some years ago to get a “real” tree for Christmas.
“I think she saw or heard something on Sesame Street that got her inspired,” says Carla Jennings, “so we went out and bought a 4-foot spruce, and it took three people to get it in the house.”
After that Christmas, they planted the spruce in the front yard, where it grew and flourished all these years.
On the day of relocation, the tree company came with machinery and dug the spruce up and bought it down to the park. They prepped the ground with special feedings and treatments to make the transition a success, and they expect the tree to grow even bigger now because it’s in a wide-open space. According to Deputy Mayor Arlene Handel, “the tree is settling in beautifully, this is a true Christmas present to the village.” The village is now responsible for its well being.
On Friday, the spruce will be one of two trees lighted in a celebration along with holiday caroling and festivities at the park.
Erica Jennings, now 17, along with her cousins, will light the tree; the family was told to be there at 6:30 p.m. After that, a tradition for the Jennings family will continue, as Henry Jennings and his daughter go out in search of another pine or spruce to share their Christmas living room.
“After the holidays, we now plant our trees in the backyard dedicated after one of our family or friends that have passed,” says Carla Jennings, “this year we’ll plant one in memory of my Dad and we’ll try to pick a much better location, so that it doesn’t grow under the wires.”
Above, Erica Jennings with the tree years ago.
Top: Carla Jennings sits near the tree at its new location in the park.
Newsday Photo by Elizabeth Sagarin