Winds force tree to be removed at Fashion Island

Holiday festivities came to an end early at Fashion Island as officials decided to pull the center’s Christmas tree down after heavy winds cracked the top, forcing it to stoop.

The fracture was discovered Christmas Day, and the tear-down process started that day. Gusts of up to 50 mph hit Orange County starting the night before and continued into the afternoon, weather forecasters said.

The 115-foot tree should be dismantled by the end of today , Fashion Island Marketing Director Laura Davis said.

Before the tree can be moved all the boxes, ornaments and lights need to be taken down. Once the tree is stripped bare it will be turned into mulch and recycled, Davis said.

The tree has been up since November.

— Kelly Strodl