Idyllwild locals and visitors flocked to the 53rd-annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, “An Olde-fashioned Christmas,” on Saturday. Soroptimist International of Idyllwild sponsored the event. The ceremony is the culmination of a full day of activities in downtown Idyllwild. The tree had 4,000 lights, the most ever used on the tree display. Photo by John Pacheco
Idyllwild locals and visitors flocked to the 53rd-annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, “An Olde-fashioned Christmas,” in 2013.
Photo by John Pacheco

Phyllis Mueller is completing a stint as tree doctor for the Idyllwild Christmas Tree, the giant Sequoia on the land of Jo’An’s Restaurant in the center of town.

“We completed a soil analysis first,” said Mueller. “There was no salt from runoff as some had suspected. The soil was low on magnesium.”

Mueller organized the project to air spade the soil and provide nutrients and supplements needed to keep the soil healthy. “On Monday, [May 4], we began putting on the mulch in all the areas of the property needed to preserve water around the trees.” She said they were also installing water-monitoring devices, a project overseen by arborist John Huddleston. She noted Debra Geisinger had also provided advice but that Huddleston was supervising the effort.

Mueller said the Sequoias needed only three things to remain healthy — water, nutrients and mulch. She said she has raised money to provide water for the project to be used as needed.

“Everyone at Jo’An’s has been great to work with,” said Mueller.