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The Ripleys planted the tree in their front yard on Harris Avenue in Portland 29 years ago. They're sad to see the tree go, but take solace in knowing that the whole city will get a chance to appreciate it.
Barbara Ripley takes a video as crews remove the 40-foot blue spruce tree from her front yard on Harris Avenue in Portland. The tree was getting far too large for their yard and the couple had thought for years about donating it to the city as the Monument Square Christmas tree.
Barbara Ripley stands in front of the 40-foot blue spruce tree that a crew removed from her front yard on Harris Avenue in Portland on Thursday. The Ripleys planted the tree 29 years ago and had thought for years about donating it to the city as the Monument Square Christmas tree.
A crew of arborists works to secure the tree on the truck.
Nothing but a small stump and sawdust was left in the Ripley's yard after the tree was cut. The Ripley's planted the tree 29 years ago.
David Ripley documents the event on his phone as the tree is removed.
The tree is secured by a crew of arborists on the truck that will haul it to Monument Square for the holiday season.
A Portland arborist is almost swallowed by the 40-foot blue spruce tree as he helps secured it on the truck that will haul it to Monument Square.
Barbara Ripley watches from her neighbor's driveway as crews remove the tree from her front yard on Harris Avenue.
A crane lifts David and Barbara Ripley's tree from a truck parked at Monument Square on Congress Street.
The blue spruce is settled into its position in Monument Square.
The Ripleys tree will be decorated and then lit in a Monument Square ceremony Nov. 25 and will remain in the city center through the holiday season.
Harvey Harrison of Kennebunk holds his daughter Kaiya, 17 months, in front of the tree Friday evening in Monument Square.
A rain puddle reflects the lights in Monument Square as people stay around after Friday's tree lighting.
Christine Lin, left, and Cathy Ng, both students at the University of New England, take a selfie in front of the tree after the annual lighting event in Monument Square.
Life & Culture 
