Salamanca Square’s metal Christmas tree sculpture has returned for the festive season

Love it or hate it, Salamanca Square’s metal Christmas tree is certainly a conversation starter.

Gill Course of South Hobart, left, and Marlene Davey of Mount Nelson in Salamanca Square with the controversial Christmas tree. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

LOVE it or hate it, the metal Christmas tree in Salamanca Square is certainly a conversation starter.

The $35,000 tree has returned for a second year, and it was a topic of discussion among people enjoying a Friday night in the square yesterday.

South Hobart woman Gill Course said while she didn’t agree with Hobart City Council’s decision to spend $35,000 on the tree, she liked the tree.

“It’s a bit different, the kids like playing in it,” she said.

Mt Nelson’s Marlene Davey said: “It’s not worth $30,000 but it’s cool”.

But Ms Course and Ms Davey both said they didn’t think the tree looked like a Christmas tree until its lights came on at night.

Nick Elliott, visiting Hobart from California, said he didn’t realise the sculpture was a Christmas tree, but he said it was a fun take on a Christmas tradition.

“I like putting a new spin on things,” he said.

Heather and Ace Christian, of Longley, were not keen on the tree.

“I’m all for minimalism but that’s just ugly. I can’t see anything that resembles a tree,” Mrs Christian said.

The tree is not Hobart’s main Christmas tree. That one is erected in Wellington Court, and costs $5000 a year to maintain.

Hobart Lord Mayor Sue Hickey has been a strident supporter of the Salamanca Square tree, and the Hobart council has again organised workshops for children to make decorations for the tree with local artist Josie Hurst.

The first workshop will be held after the Christmas pageant today, and another will be held on December 3.

Originally published as Salamanca Square’s metal Christmas tree sculpture has returned for the festive season