When it comes to Christmas trees, the motto for Alabama Power Sports on Citizens Parkway is “go big or go home.”

A 22-foot cedar tree decorated with lights to spread holiday cheer greets visitors to the showroom.

Bringing the tree into the store, owner David Hulsey said, did not require an extended trip to the woods.

“Buchanan Timber Company, Bucky Hinton and those guys are kind enough to let us get a cedar tree from them every year and we appreciate that,” he said. “We get it right out behind the shop here.”

When the tree was down, Hulsey said the true challenge began. Employees, he said, were able to bring the tree through the front doors with a four-wheeler, but not without a few challenges.

“It took a crew to get that thing through the door,” he said. “We had to fold it down like the Griswold’s. When it popped loose I think every ran for cover.”

Once the tree was inside, Hulsey said they used a chain hoist from the ceiling and a forklift to bring the tree upright.

Like many people during the holidays, the tree maintains a healthy appetite.

“We put a 55 gallon bucket under it to hold the water ad the first night it drank about 20 gallons of water,” Hulsey said.

The tree currently has lights, but Hulsey said he would like help from local children to fully decorate the tree before Christmas.

“We’d love to have the local school kids come in and bring an ornament,” he said. “We’ll give them all a free cup of hot chocolate if they want to come in and hang something on the tree.”

Hulsey said the tree will remain standing through Christmas and most likely the New Year’s holiday.