DOWNTOWN MEDFORD, Ore. (Aug. 18, 2026) — A familiar part of downtown Medford’s holiday season is no longer standing.
The city has removed a 45-foot Norway spruce from Pear Blossom Park after the tree’s health declined, according to the City of Medford.
The tree had been part of the City of Medford’s Winter Lights Festival since 2013, becoming a recognizable feature of the annual holiday celebration in downtown Medford.
City officials said the tree was removed by the city arborist after its health deteriorated. Heat stress and repeated vandalism to the park’s irrigation system were contributing factors.
The Norway spruce is an evergreen conifer native to Europe and is one of the most widely planted spruce species for ornamental and landscape purposes. It is known for its tall, symmetrical form, dense branches and long, drooping branchlets.
Norway spruce can become a very large tree when mature, commonly reaching heights of 60 to 100 feet or more under favorable conditions. The species is also relatively fast-growing compared with many other spruce varieties, making it popular for large landscapes, parks and windbreaks.
The species is well known for its dark green, needle-like foliage and distinctive cones, which can grow several inches long. Its branches often have a characteristic pendulous appearance, particularly as the tree matures.
Norway spruce generally prefers cool conditions, well-drained soil and consistent moisture. Extended periods of heat and drought can place significant stress on the trees, particularly when they are growing in environments outside their native climate.
Those characteristics made irrigation especially important for the Norway spruce in Pear Blossom Park, city officials said. Repeated vandalism to the irrigation system, combined with heat stress, contributed to the tree’s declining condition.
The tree’s removal was noticeable to residents and visitors who have become accustomed to seeing it in Pear Blossom Park, particularly during the holiday season.
For more than a decade, the spruce served as a focal point for Medford’s Winter Lights Festival. Beginning in 2013, the tree was incorporated into the city’s seasonal decorations and became part of the visual identity of the downtown celebration.
Its removal comes as the city prepares for another holiday season.
Medford officials said they are exploring options to replace the tree before this year’s Winter Lights Festival. The city has not yet announced what type of tree may be selected or whether a replacement will be a newly planted tree or another option.
Officials said additional information will be shared as plans take shape.
While the Norway spruce is gone, the city’s goal is to maintain a festive centerpiece at Pear Blossom Park for this year’s Winter Lights Festival.
For residents who have watched the tree grow and become part of the annual celebration since 2013, the removal marks the end of a more than decade-long chapter in downtown Medford’s holiday tradition.
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