He's not quite as grumpy as the Grinch, but Nova Scotian Donnie Hatt is saying some pretty un-Christmasy things about Boston after bureaucrats there renamed his Christmas tree a "holiday" tree.
In fact, the East Coast logger so resents the politically correct label assigned to his prized white spruce -- which he chopped down himself last week in a spirit of giving -- that he's suggested the tree be shipped home.
Boston should "just put 'Return to Sender' on it because we sent it as a Christmas tree, not a holiday tree," Mr. Hatt told a local newspaper this week.
For the past 34 years, Nova Scotia has sent a carefully selected Christmas tree to Boston as a gesture of gratitude to the New England city for the speedy help it gave Halifax in the aftermath of the December, 1917, explosion that killed and injured thousands of Haligonians.
This year, the tree was described in City of Boston news releases as a "holiday tree." Had Mr. Hatt known the evergreen would be draped in a generic, secular term, he said, "I'd have cut it down and put it through the chipper."
Mr. Hatt's comments have caused headaches across the country and made headlines in both the United States and Canada. Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm was asked to comment on the tree kerfuffle Wednesday during a trip to Calgary.
"When it left Nova Scotia, it was a Christmas tree," Dr. Hamm said.
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino has also jumped into the fray.
Yesterday, Mr. Menino said he considers Nova Scotia's gift a Christmas tree -- not a holiday tree, despite the wording on city press releases.
"A Christmas tree is a Christmas tree is a Christmas tree," he said with a sigh.
The short-tempered rants actually started in Boston earlier this week when lawyers hired by conservative evangelist Jerry Falwell threatened to sue the city for what they described as state attempts to secularize Christmas. They cited the renaming of the Nova Scotia Christmas tree as a prime example.
Mr. Hatt piped in when he caught wind that his tree, which he offered as a Christmas gift, had been stripped of its Christian meaning.
The angry exchanges have tarnished the cherished Christmas tradition between Nova Scotia and Boston, which began in 1971. In addition to a symbol of thanks for Boston's assistance in the aftermath of the Halifax Explosion, the tree is a symbol of friendship and economic ties between the two East Coast cities.
In Nova Scotia, the search for a tree is a serious, six-month affair, involving the entire province.
The only other time Nova Scotia asked to have the tree returned was when it learned that one red spruce had too few lower branches.
In Boston, the Nova Scotia Christmas tree has become the focal point for the city's biggest Christmas event, when tens of thousands of people gather in the Common at the beginning of December to see the tree lit up.
The event features performers from Nova Scotia and the Premier usually attends, as he plans to next week.
Mr. Menino said when he flips the switch in the Common next week to illuminate the tree, he'll be calling it a Christmas tree.
"I never heard of a holiday tree," the mayor said.
In Boston, the tree flap has divided residents. An on-line poll conducted by a local television station revealed that many people resent the ambiguity of the term "holiday tree."
"A Christmas tree. That's what it is,'' wrote one resident. "And thank you to . . . the good folks of Nova Scotia for giving Boston these beautiful CHRISTMAS TREES year after year. Merry Christmas!!!"
However, others said state organizations should try to include people of all faiths in the holiday season.
"Regarding the Christmas tree generously donated by Nova Scotia, I hope we can all celebrate it. Nonetheless, this tree is on public property and supported largely by tax dollars from many who vehemently support the separation of church and state," said another in an e-mail.
Meanwhile, some Nova Scotians say Mr. Hatt's comments were in bad taste and hope Bostonians don't believe the province really wants the tree back.
Peter Spurway, a spokesman for the Premier, said Nova Scotians remain grateful for the efforts of Boston residents more than 80 years ago.
"He's entitled to his own opinion," Mr. Spurway said of Mr. Hatt, adding he regrets that the logger's comments got relayed back to Boston. "It's too bad really. We share so much with New England and have so much in common.
"This [annual tree gift]was a symbol of appreciation and respect."