A spruce tree grower in Nova Scotia isn't happy his Christmas tree has become a "holiday" tree.


The annual raising of Boston's offical "Holiday" tree on Boston Common in Boston, Friday, Nov. 18. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Every fall, the province sends a tree to Boston as a thank-you gift to that city for helping Halifax after the devastating explosion in 1917.

But Donnie Hatt, of Beech Hill, says he wouldn't have sent his 36-year-old, 16-metre white spruce this year if he knew it would be called a "holiday" tree. In fact, he'd rather see it run through the wood chipper in his backyard.

"Well, I think it's a bunch of bullcrap," Hatt said. "The States is never happy with the way things are. They always gotta change something.

"Ever since I was born, a tree was put up for Christmas, not for holidays, because if you're gonna do that you might as well put a tree up for Easter."

Officials with Boston's parks department decided it would be less offensive to some people and generally more inclusive if the word "Christmas" was dropped.

"A lot of people celebrate various religious holidays but also enjoy the lights and we're trying to be inclusive," said Toni Pollak, Boston's commissioner of parks.

Not everyone in Boston agrees with the name change, however.

"A lot of us felt it wasn't right and how could they have the right to even change the name of a gift that was given to us from the people up there," said resident Ray Brochu.

Despite the controversy, the tree will be placed in the Boston Common and the lights will be turned on Dec. 1.