INDIAN ISLAND — Passers-by acting with equal parts whimsy and holiday spirit have decorated a remnant of storm damage, making it into an inverted Christmas tree.
High winds during last week’s storms blew the top off a Douglas fir standing more than 100 feet tall, according to Marrowstone Island resident Chip Hoins.
The approximately 12-foot section landed on a nonactive line outside of the Naval Magazine Indian Island security fence on state Highway 116.
The lines hung the treetop upside-down just above the ground.
It was in “the precise shape of a near perfect Christmas tree,” Hoins said in an email.
Since then, Christmas-spirited folks have steadily decorated the tree with garlands, ribbons, ornaments and a wooden sign that says, “Santa, I Want it All!”
Hoins, who has driven by the tree every day since the storm, said the decorations were added gradually beginning Monday with a present added to the bottom of the tree.
That present, which was addressed to the food bank, is no longer under the tree, he said.
“Maybe the food bank came and picked it up, but it’s gone,” he said.
“Everyone smiled as they drove by,” he wrote. “Many stopped to take photos.
“One morning I noticed some shiny ornaments on our upside-down Christmas tree.
“The next day there were more. Then red ribbons and garlands and even more ornaments.”
Bill Graham, Jefferson County Public Utility District resource manager, said the agency noticed the tree the day after last Thursday’s storm but did not take it down because it was not a high priority and didn’t pose a public danger.
Graham said the tree is held aloft by a messenger line belonging to Wave Broadband that was intended for use by its predecessor, Broadstripe, but was never used and is not live.
Nevertheless, he said, people should approach the tree with care.
“From a safety standpoint, it is not a good place to be stringing lights and garlands, and people should stay away from it until it’s removed,” he said.
“There is no immediate electrical hazard, but our concern is the additional load on the poles,” he added.
“Another windstorm with that tree on the line could cause a bigger problem.”
Graham said the PUD has contacted Wave about the tree but has received no response.
“Because Wave owns it, it’s their responsibility to take the tree down,” he said.
“Since they don’t have service on Marrowstone, its removal may not be a high priority for them.”
A Wave spokesperson was not immediately available for comment Wednesday.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
