Baker City Welcomes Community Christmas Tree Donated by Local Family

Workers removed a large Douglas fir from the yard of Terry and Sophia Galyen on November 20, 2025 and transported it to Court Plaza to become Baker City’s community Christmas tree. The tree measured an estimated 25 to 30 feet. Nick Carey handled the cutting while his father Chuck Carey watched, as Chuck recovers from a torn rotator cuff. A crane provided by Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative lifted the tree onto a trailer donated by Superior Towing for the trip downtown.

City organizers say the tree will be decorated and lit following the Twilight Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 6, continuing a longtime local tradition. Past years have seen different donors supply the community tree, and this year the Galyens stepped forward from their large Grove Street lot near the Baker Heritage Museum. Photographs of the tree cutting show the Galyens and the crew working together, and residents can expect the familiar holiday display in Court Plaza to anchor seasonal activities.

This type of community donation carries public health and social implications well beyond holiday cheer. Public celebrations offer important benefits for mental health and social cohesion by providing free, low barrier gathering points for families, older adults, and children. For many Baker County residents, events tied to the community tree are an accessible source of seasonal connection that does not require extra expense, and that continuity can reduce isolation during colder months.

The collaborative effort also reflects practical attention to safety and resource stewardship. Involving the local electric cooperative and a towing company reduced costs and ensured the heavy lift and transport followed operational safety standards. The Careys and the Galyens coordinated neighborhood activity while accommodating Chuck Carey’s recovery needs, modeling how intergenerational participation can be managed with care for physical limitations.

Environmental and land use considerations are part of the broader conversation about community trees. Removing a mature tree from a residential lot alters local shade and garden conditions. The Galyens noted their large lot and multiple mature trees and mentioned their garden, including light hearted remarks about pumpkins that benefited from more sun once the tree was removed. Reusing a tree from a private lot for public display repurposes organic material in a communal way, though it also underscores the need for thoughtful urban forestry planning so green canopy and community traditions can be balanced.

As Baker City prepares for the parade and illumination, organizers and residents alike are sustaining a seasonal ritual that supports community wellbeing, civic cooperation, and accessible celebration for all who live in the county.