YOUNGSTOWN — The city’s official Christmas tree, which has been battered a few times, will be decorated today.

The tree was damaged — for the second year in a row — while it was being loaded onto a flat-bed truck after being cut down Nov. 21.

It also sustained damage because of the high winds and “had to be put back together again,” said Dawn Turnage, the city’s park and recreation director.

But work to the tree has left it in good shape, she said.

“It’s been a crazy kind of weather with the winds,” Turnage said. “Everything’s fine. We adjusted everything” Monday.

The upper section of the tree broke Nov. 21, just as it did last year though not as seriously. Last year’s tree had to be replaced.

This year’s tree was repaired that day and has had to be repaired since then.

The Canton Christmas tree broke and fell over during winds last Wednesday. It wasn’t put back up until Monday and is about four or five feet shorter, according to the Canton Repository.

High winds nearly toppled Cleveland’s Christmas tree, also last Wednesday.

Edison Lighting of North Lima has volunteered to light the Youngstown tree today as well as put Christmas lights downtown.

The city’s holiday parade and tree-lighting ceremony is set for Friday.

The parade steps off at 6 p.m. from East Federal Street, near Commerce Street, and finishes on West Federal Street at Vindicator Square.

The tree lighting will take place immediately following the parade, about 7:30 p.m., on Central Square.

dskolnick@tribtoday.com