Potato Barrel Tree Marks Holiday in County

Nothing says Christmas in the St. John Valley quite like potato barrels and fir boughs. Some residents of Wallagrass and Soldier Pond joined forces to create an homage to the holidays out of the two staples of the area’s agricultural and logging heritage. “We’ve wanted to do this for quite a few years,” said Elaine Desjardins, one of the organizers behind the project. “This was a real community effort.” While the group did not intend for the creation to break any world records like a similar project out of lobster traps in Rockland, Desjardins left the door open. “Everyone remarked on the lobster trap tree,” she said. “So many people want to help us next time — just wait until next year.”