By Steffen Klenk
On a blustery Saturday afternoon, dozens gathered at Ocean City’s North Street Beach, with an abundance of excitement, as this year’s Christmas tree made its grand arrival. A group of family members and young surfers (or groms) carefully carried the tree to a dedicated spot as onlookers watched with excitement.
The evergreen tree was donated by Eisele’s Tree Farm in Petersburg and was planted with a clear tube and a bucket underneath the sand to collect water, ensuring the tree stays healthy all season long.
The tradition started in 2019 when Sue McElwee moved from Bucks County, Pa. to Ocean City with her husband, Mike, and children (Michael, 16, Maddox, 13, Mason, 11, and Harlow, 6), all four of whom are active surfers and skateboarders.
The first tree was surrounded with hundreds of clamshells, allowing beachgoers to share the names of loved ones and write positive messages. During the pandemic, the beach tree gained notoriety as a beacon of hope and much-needed light for many in our community. Since then, the trees have become a yearly phenomenon, seen by countless visitors far and wide. McElwee says over 7,000 shells were left at the tree in 2021. “Who would have ever thought it would grow like this?” She exclaimed.
Upon arriving at North Street, you may notice several wooden signs, two of which were created by Peace of Wood artist Kristina Young. One leads you in the direction of the North Street Tree, while the other one stands by the tree, encouraging beachgoers to use organic materials for ornaments and décor.
At the end of the season, the tree will be donated to the animals at Funny Farm Rescue and Sanctuary in Mays Landing.
Steffen Klenk is a photographer and multimedia journalist who enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life. You may contact Steffen at shorelocalsteffen@gmail.com.
