Christmas tree to be installed in Pittsburgh

During a week when unseasonably warm weather is making it feel like anything but Christmas, the annual installation of the City-County Building’s Christmas tree is set for this Saturday.

Though it might seem that the tree is going up early, City Forester Lisa Ceoffe said the installation is actually later than normal.

“It’s a week later than we normally do it which is the first Saturday in November,” Ceoffe said. “We would have put the tree up last Saturday but Public Safely kind of nixed that in anticipation of the election, depending on how it went.”

James Hill, executive assistant to Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, said that with Light Up Night in Downtown being canceled, the tree lighting will provide a bright spot.

“We’ve been putting up this Christmas Tree at the City-County Building now for 105 years and previously it had only been stopped for world war,” said Hill. “So, I think it’s an enduring sign that even in difficult times there are some traditions that endure.”

The tree will be transported from Rowley Street in the Hill District between 8 and 9 a.m.

“It’s a smaller tree,” Ceoffe said. “Normally we have a tree that’s between 50 and 60 feet but this year it’s only 32 feet. Part of the reason for that is we’re running out of good candidates. The Blue Spruces are declining because they can’t take the (warmer weather). So, this tree is beautiful and it will fit the bill.”

Hill said the tree is special because it is Downtown’s only live Christmas tree.

“Horne’s and PPG Place and the rest, they’re all artificial but every year our forestry division still finds a beauty and we get to share it with the whole city,” he said.

Hill said the city is planning a virtual tree lighting ceremony this year because of covid-19 concerns.

Drivers should expect delays and rolling closures as the tree is transported. A single lane will be closed on Grant Street adjacent to the City-County Building between Fourth Avenue and Forbes Avenue from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.