Wareham’s Municipal Maintenance staff has set up 73 pre-lit Christmas trees in Besse Park, as part of a new town program. The “remembrance trees” — which could become an annual holiday tradition — line the sidewalks at Besse Park. 

During a Nov. 23 Select Board meeting, Town Administrator Derek Sullivan said the trees were nearly ready for decorations.

“If you know your (tree) number, this weekend you can start decorating,” he said, before warning people that the “wind is vicious,” so they should decorate their trees accordingly. 

The tree numbers can be found at the base of the tree, on the plastic sleeve. When decorating, people should be sure they are decorating the correct tree. Decorations should be shatterproof. 

Sullivan praised the town employees and residents for showing their support for the new initiative.

“The crew over at municipal maintenance — with the remembrance tress — has been fantastic,” he said. “The work they put into this and the pride. I just really want to thank each and every one of them.” 

For a $25 donation to Damien’s Pantry, people can sponsor a remembrance tree in Besse Park to decorate in remembrance of a loved one. 

The program is run out of the town administrator’s office. Anyone interested in sponsoring a tree should call (508) 291-3100 ext. 3110 or email administration@wareham.ma.us. People will be provided with a tree number one through 73. 

Sullivan noted that only about 10 of the 73 total trees were still available to sponsor as of Nov. 23. 

“I can’t thank the residents enough,” he added. “Some are donating more than $25 because it’s going to Damien’s.”

Southcoast Health agreed to fully cover the costs of the program, Sullivan reported, and Olson’s Garden Center sold the trees to the town. 

“Drive by,” Sullivan encouraged. “It’s really awesome.”

This story has been updated to reflect that 73 trees were set up and to emphasize that decorations should be shatterproof and used on the correct tree.