Toronto's magnificent official Christmas tree is sponsored by Great Gulf.

This glittering evergreen is the focal point of the annual lighting display at Nathan Phillips Square, featuring lights and ornaments in various shades of white and silver and carefully wrapped with a light ribbon of holiday red.

Here are some interesting facts about the tree:

• The tree arrives on a flatbed truck and is lifted into place with cranes.
• It takes a crew of six people three to four hours to put the tree into place.
• The tree needs three days to settle before it can be decorated.
• A crew of four people will take two weeks to decorate and light the tree.
• Countless pieces of large machinery, including a cherry picker, are used to assist the decorating crew in placing each ornament onto the tree.
• Unlike an indoor tree, Toronto's Christmas tree does not need watering.
• Usually the official tree is 15 to 18 metres tall (50 to 60 feet). During the revitalization of Nathan Phillips Square the tree will be slightly smaller.
• The tree remains on display throughout the holiday season and is then recycled.