N.S. communities light up Christmas trees made of lobster traps

A uniquely Maritime holiday tradition is back across the region.

Christmas trees made out of lobster traps have begun to pop up again across Nova Scotia.

The first tree of this kind appears to have been built in Gloucester, Mass., in the early 2000s.

In Nova Scotia, one of the first trap trees created was in Barrington in 2009. Since then, other communities have started to put up their own trees.

Suzy Atwood, the director of marketing and tourism development in Barrington, said in an interview with CBC Radio'sMainstreet that since the municipality is the"lobster capital of Canada," it made sense to builda trap tree.

The 200 stacked traps reflects the Shelburne County community, which Atwood said is "shaped by the sea and the fishing industry."

"The lobster industry in particular is the backbone of our community," she said.

In other communities, the tree takes on a more sombre meaning.

Catherine Falconer of Toney River in Pictou County said she began putting up lobster tree traps in that community to mark a year after her son, Nick, died in November 2019 at the age of 24.

"In the beginning, it was mostly just in memory of my son. For us, it's certainly that now still, but I think it's become something that the community has become a part of [and]that they look forward to," Falconer said.

"We also invite the community to put buoys on the tree in memory of lost loved ones for them, as well."

Falconer added that Nick, as well asher husband's family and many others in Toney River fish for a living and have lost loved ones in fishing accidents. She said the tree is "a bit of added light" for the holidays,and a chance for those in the community to gather together and remember those who have died.