Tallest Fresh-Cut Christmas Tree in the Nation Arrives Today in Phoenix at Outlets at Anthem

PHOENIX, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- A 110-foot-tall fresh-cut Christmas tree, the tallest in the nation, arrives at Outlets at Anthem at 6:30 a.m. today, Oct. 26 following a four-day journey from northern California.

"It's going to be very exciting to see this huge truck carrying such a gigantic tree exit I-17 for its final destination here," said Sallyann Martinez, marketing director at Outlets at Anthem. "It's a holiday tradition for the center to have the tallest tree in Arizona at 80 feet, but to think this year's tree is 30 feet taller than past years is really amazing."

Traveling 748.2 miles on a 75-foot stretch flatbed trailer, the 12-ton white fir will be unloaded on the east side of the center where the Outlets' official measurement taker, dressed in Victorian regalia, will insure that the tree is 110 feet. Then the waiting crew of 14 will secure the tree to a large strap from which a construction crane will hoist it from the flatbed and lower it into a specially designed tree well in center court.

A special viewing area and complimentary coffee will be available for the public from 6:30-10 a.m.

"The tree is actually longer than a Boeing 727 wingspan, which is 108 feet, and the official length of an NBA basketball court which is 94 feet," Martinez pointed out. "If you can imagine, it's 19 times the size of an average Christmas tree which is just under six feet."

Over the next 14 days, the tree will be moved into position, shaped with 1,000 live branches ranging from 3-13 feet, strung with 120 strands of lights stretching a total length of more than two miles and decorated with more than 3,000 ornaments that measure 4-11-inches in circumference and large fabric bows. It will be topped with a four-foot by six-foot star handcrafted from copper and designed by a member of the Outlets at Anthem Operations Department.

Decorating will be completed on Nov. 10. The ninth annual Christmas tree lighting spectacular, featuring free family entertainment, is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 20.

Outlets at Anthem is located off I-17, 15 minutes north of Loop 101, at the Anthem Way exit 229.

For more information, visit www.outletsanthem.com.

SOURCE Outlets at Anthem