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

A beloved Maritime holiday tradition is making a comeback in Nova Scotia – the lobster trap Christmas tree. These unique trees, made out of stacked lobster traps, have become a symbol of the region’s connection to the sea and the fishing industry.

The first lobster trap tree is said to have been built in Gloucester, Mass., in the early 2000s. In Nova Scotia, the tradition took root in Barrington in 2009, with other communities following suit in the years that followed.

Suzy Atwood, the director of marketing and tourism development in Barrington, explained that since the municipality is known as the “lobster capital of Canada,” it was only fitting to construct a trap tree. The tree, made up of 200 stacked traps, represents the community’s deep ties to the sea and the fishing industry, which Atwood described as the backbone of the area.

In Toney River, a small community in Pictou County, Catherine Falconer started putting up lobster trap trees in 2019 to honor the memory of her son, Nick, who passed away at the age of 24. What began as a personal tribute has now become a community-wide tradition, with residents adding buoys to the tree in memory of their own lost loved ones.

For Falconer and many others in Toney River, fishing is not just a livelihood but a way of life. The trap tree serves as a beacon of light during the holiday season, bringing people together to remember those who have been lost at sea. It is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those in the fishing community and a tribute to their resilience in the face of adversity.

This year, as the lobster trap trees once again light up the coastal towns of Nova Scotia, they stand as a testament to the region’s rich maritime heritage and the strong sense of community that binds its residents together. Whether built as a tribute to lost loved ones or as a celebration of the sea’s bounty, these unique Christmas trees are sure to bring joy and hope to all who gather around them.