SPARTANBURG, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The origin of the City of Spartanburg’s new downtown Christmas tree is causing controversy online.

A new tree is now in place at Denny’s Plaza after the former one was damaged in Hurricane Helene.

Officials said the tree was taken from the Spartanburg Old City Cemetery, a historically black cemetery.

A hole is now sitting where the tree used to stand, but the Old Cemetery Memorial Committee said a new tree will be planted to replace the one that was moved to downtown.

City officials said that teams used ground-penetrating radar to ensure no gravesites would be disturbed or affected by the tree’s relocation.

The new Christmas tree will be lit for the first time on Tuesday, Dec. 2, during the 2025 Dickens of a Christmas.

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