This spruce tree outside Biddeford City Hall will be removed during the week of Sept. 5 because its roots have no room left to expand underground, and the tree is starting to deteriorate, city officials say. It will be replaced with a tree that will be decorated, as usual, for the coming holiday season. City of Biddeford Photo

BIDDEFORD — The towering spruce tree outside Biddeford City Hall will be cut down during the week of Sept. 5 and replaced with a new tree.

The tree, illuminated each December at Heart of Biddeford’s Downtown Holiday Festival Tree Lighting, has outgrown the available space underground for its roots, city officials said in a news release. As well, the tree sees sunlight only from one side, causing it to grow crooked. The needles on the interior of the City Hall side of the tree are beginning to turn brown and die, and branches may begin to hang into Adams Street if the issue is not addressed, according to the release.

“This tree is important to holiday festivities, so it is a disappointment to take it down, but it was ultimately the best decision,” said Biddeford Public Works Director Jeff Demers in the release, citing the tree’s deterioration. “We’ve worked with Pierson Nurseries to find a replacement fir tree that is going to be between 12 and 14 feet tall, so it will still be large enough to decorate this winter.”

The replacement tree will also be planted in City Square, but in a slightly different location outside the building to give it better sun exposure and more room to grow in the future.

No road closures are anticipated during the tree’s removal.