It’s been called Montreal’s version of Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree.
The 26-metre Balsam Fir has been mocked on social media and in news outlets around the world for its shape, scraggly branches and unfortunate Canadian Tire ornaments.
While the tree may have failed at besting the New York City tree in Rockefeller Centre, it has certainly become notable, albeit it for all the wrong reasons.
If anything, the tree is an excuse to get out of town this winter vacation and maybe visit some parts of the world that managed to do their trees properly. Here’s a few to get you started.
Washington, D.C.
The 80-foot Engelmann Spruce was plucked from the Payette National Forest in Idaho and brought to our southern neighbour’s capital city, where it was lit up on Dec. 6
Photo via Associated Press/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Vilnius, Lithuania
Yup, Montreal got outdone by noted international metropolis Vilnius. With 50,000 lightbulbs covering a 27-metre high tree, the tree can reportedly be seen by passengers on every plane flying into the city.
Photo via Associated Press/Mindaugas Kulbis
Chicago
Way to rub it in, Chicago. We have a lousy tree and no baseball team while you have a 69-foot Norway Spruce and your first World Series title since 1908.
Vatican City
This one’s kind of a no-brainer. Of course the Vatican would have a wonderful tree. This year, Pope Francis presided over the lighting of the tree on Dec. 9 with a speech urging people to open their hearts to those facing hardship.
Photo via Associated Press/Gregorio Borgia
New York City
Arguably the most famous tree in the world. We might not have equaled the 94-foot Norway Spruce in beauty, but hey, there’s always next year.
Photo via Associated Press/Julie Jacobson
