Gatlinburg, Pittman Center Gather to Dedicate Ripley’s Tree

GATLINBURG - Officials, residents and friends of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and the Cities of Gatlinburg and Pittman Center gathered to dedicate a 39-foot Christmas Tree erected on Ripley’s Plaza on Tuesday. The Norway spruce measured 42 feet tall when it was removed from its home next to Pittman Center City Hall last week. David McKinzie, who owned a landscaping company at the time, said the tree was probably planted about 30 years ago. “We bought it from a nursery in Cosby and planted it next to what was then a senior citizens building,” said McKinzie. “We counted the rings in the tree when we cut it and it appears to be about 36 years old. I figure we planted it when it was about five feet tall and about six years old.” McKinzie and a crew transported the tree by semi flatbed to Ripley’s Aquarium, where it took a crane and another crew to erect it. City Manager Cindy Ogle of Gatlinburg and Town Administrator Sherry Spicer-Dudley of Pittman Center attended the dedication, decorating the tree from a high-lift operated by Ripley’s Adam Nelson. Ripley’s and City officials attended the ceremony and assisted as students from Pittman Center Elementary decorated the tree. \"We are proud of this tree,” said Joel Young, Marketing Director for Ripley’s Aquarium. “This tree helps us capture the true spirit of Christmas.”