After Harrowing Hunt, County Christmas Tree Found and Put Up in Downtown LG

Fayette County Road and Bridge crews set up the County Christmas Tree on the Courthouse lawn in La Grange Tuesday morning, Dec. 1.

The eastern red cedar tree came from private property near Oldenburg. The last few County Christmas trees came from the same cedar patch. Pct. 2 Commissioner Luke Sternadel said the property has not had any cattle on it, which allows the cedars to grow in a more Christmas tree-like fashion, since cattle often mangle the bottom tree branches.

Cassie Austin, secretary to County Judge Joe Weber, picked out the tree. Crews were supposed to set up the tree on Monday. Sternadel said the truck hauling the tree got stuck in the property’s black gumbo soil while trying to leave the woods. They had to get a bulldozer to pull it out.

Finally, it arrived on Tuesday. Workers from all four of the County’s road and bridge precincts assisted with setting it up. The tree will be lit as part of the Schmeckenfest celebration this Thursday on the Square, which begins at 5 p.m.