A 40-foot red spruce from a Portland Housing Authority property will become this year’s Monument Square holiday tree, with crews set to cut, transport and install it early on Wednesday, November 19.
The tree, located at 9 Boyd Street, was selected for the 2025 display following the city’s evaluation process, which considers aesthetic appeal along with One Climate Future guidelines such as transportation distance, site logistics and the social and ecological value of trees.
“The Portland Housing Authority is honored to see this tree rooted in one of our neighborhoods for decades become part of Portland’s holiday season,” said Leah Bruns, interim executive director of the authority. She noted the spruce had been part of daily life for residents and staff and needed to be removed as the site prepares for new housing construction.
City forestry crews will coordinate with Keeley Crane and Shaw Brothers Construction, which is donating equipment, to cut and load the tree around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. The flatbed truck is expected to depart Boyd Street at about 9 a.m., travel down Franklin Street, turn onto Congress Street, and arrive in Monument Square around 10 a.m.
Portland police and parking control officers will escort the tree. Additional city crews, including Public Works, Park Rangers and horticulture staff will secure the square during installation. Lighting work is expected to begin on Wednesday or Thursday and could continue early next week depending on weather.
Portland Downtown will activate its Monument Square Tree Cam, presented by Hood Eggnog, on Wednesday for the tree’s arrival. The livestream will go dark after setup and return for the annual tree lighting on Friday, November 28. Festivities begin at 4 p.m., including a free showing of Elf at 4:30 p.m., followed by a ceremony with a performance by Pine State Pitches. The official lighting is expected at about 6:30 p.m. The camera will remain on through January 1.
