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The Blue Tree History and Sponsors
New York is famous for the gigantic Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, Bostonians enjoy their tree displayed in front of the Prudential Tower - the people of Needham celebrate the holiday season with a unique tree. While most Christmas trees all over the world are evergreens and carry illuminations of white or colored lights, the "Blue Tree" on the Needham Town Common is actually a huge maple in front of the Town Hall, decorated exclusively with blue light bulbs.
Clarke Wertheim was president of both the Board of Trade and Needham Rotary, in 1954. He had seen the blue tree at Quint's Florist in Newton, and presented the idea for a Blue Tree to adorn our Square. At the time, he had a store at the corner of Maple and Great Plain Avenue. Both organizations agreed, and the Board of Trade (precursors of the Needham Business Association), was the first financial sponsor. The first lighting was December 3, 1954. The tree had 4,000 blue bulbs. The New York City flights used to fly over Needham, and point out the tree to their passengers, and people came from miles around to see the tree. In 1974, the Needham Board of Selectman asked the Needham Business Association to assume the responsibility to fund and to continue the tradition. Today, two blue trees grace Needham's holiday activities; one at Avery Square, and the other at Needham Town Common.
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