Christmas tree tradition continues in Portland

The Douglas Fir tree was collected from Gaston, Oregon and transported by the company on a specialised truck, before being erected using a 50t Grove all terrain crane.

This year marked the 30th annual installation of Portland's Christmas tree. Project superintendent Dan Pollard has been overseeing the operation since it began and Ness & Campbell has been providing its services for the last 20 years.

Ness & Campbell was founded in 1947 as a tow-truck company, before expanding into crane rental, trucking and heavy haulage, storage and rigging.

Its fleet includes cranes from 7-600t. The tree was donated by Stimson Lumber and was paraded along Southwest 6th Avenue -- with Santa driving the truck.

Operating the crane that erected the tree this year was Robert Duncan.

"Lifting the Portland Christmas tree is an honour," says Duncan. "It's so awesome to see the smiles on everyone's faces when it gets put in place.

"This year was a little challenging. The tree was 11 miles down a logging road on Stimson Lumber land in the middle of nowhere. Unfortunately the logging road was so out of level we had to build 4ft cribbing piles under the back outriggers just to get my crane level. It was starting to get windy.

Not unsafe but we knew a storm was coming and time was of the essence.

"We hooked my main block to the top then gently lowered the whipline through the branches and rigged it to the bottom of the tree. I came tight on the main and the chainsaw came to life. When I'm lifting trees I have the cutter cut half way through one side of the tree. Then I put a little swing towards that side so when he cuts through from the other side the tree will swing away from him.

"After that it's line up on the whip and down on the main until the tree is horizontal and we place it on the trailer.

"The day we stood it I arrived early to set up my rig and make sure I was ready. I always have butterflies when I stand the tree. There are news teams, around 1,500 people, the Mayor, a parade, and when the tree finally shows up, everyone is counting on me.

"We rigged the tree again, and I jumped out of the crane to take a look to make sure all was good and that I was plumb. It's always hard to spot the boom when you have two lines connected to the tree that are 75ft apart. I turned it in the air with both winches and placed it in its holder.

"It always feels great to hear everyone cheer. Like I said, it's an honour. I hope I get to do it again next year."