Austin Energy crews install Zilker Tree

Crews with Austin Energy have transformed the moonlight tower in Zilker Park into the Zilker Tree in a sign that the holidays are fast approaching.

The 155-foot tall Zilker Tree has 39 streamers that each contain 81 red, yellow, green and blue bulbs. Officials say it's the strategic placement of the yellow bulbs on each string that gives the tree its distinctive and dizzying swirl pattern.

The tree had two stars at its top with 75 frosted bulbs each.

It's the 49th year in a row that Austin Energy has transformed the moonlight tower in Zilker Park. The tower is one of the city's 17 remaining from the original 31 that provided Austin with its first urban lighting system in 1895.

The first tree was lighted by Mayor Pro Tem Emma Long on December 10, 1967. The honor has been award to the young winner of a cidywide tree coloring contest in recent years.

This year's tree lighting ceremony will be November 29 at 6 p.m. 

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