Sketched Nov. 17, 2016
I’m watching Eric Greenberg put on a safety harness and climb into a basket to get closer to the top of the giant sequoia tree on Fourth Avenue. Now, there’s a “man in tree” who truly deserves some attention!
Every November, the Greenwood resident takes it upon himself to decorate the 100-foot tree so the lights can go on the day after Thanksgiving. It’s something he started doing back in 1992 because he couldn’t stand to see the tree dark during the holidays. He found a donor to fund the operation and worked with the city to secure the proper permits.
Now 63, the semi-retired solar industry worker said he plans to move to Sedro-Woolley, and this will be the last year he takes on the task. But he is hopeful some other citizens will step up.
Unlike other trees decorated by shopping centers to attract customers, Greenberg said this is Seattle’s true holiday tree. “This is the tree of the people.”