From start to finish, it took Fred Donovan and a crew of 20-some just about 45 minutes Thursday to take down Dawn and Chuck Dennis' 30-foot blue spruce, load it on Mr. Donovan's flatbed, clean up the mess, and head back to Albany.
Not that there was much of a mess.
The Dennis' tree is one of two that will be lit as part of Albany's Capitol holiday celebration December 8.
The Sharon Springs tree will have spot of honor in the East Capitol Park, according to Office of General Services' Heather Groll, who helps scout the state for perfect trees.
With work on the State Capitol completed, the crane that's been there for years is gone, Ms. Groll said, something that really opens up the park.
"The tree is so wide...it'll be perfect," she said.
The Dennises and their grandchildren will be on hand the 8th to flip the switch lighting the tree.
Thursday a small crowd gathered in front on their Sawmill Road home to watch the maneuvering past overhead phone wires and a bird feeder set in cement.
The scene-surprisingly-left both Dennises wiping away tears.
"Everyone cries," Ms. Groll assured them. "It's very emotional. It's a special time."