The Tuscaloosa Tinsel Trail is now open, and there are over 170 beautifully decorated trees lining the River Walk outside of the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater and the River Walk.

I look forward to the Tinsel Trail every year, as it is one of my favorite holiday traditions. I love seeing how local businesses, clubs, schools, and other organizations decorate their trees, and I always have a great time decorating our company tree on the trail, too.

I have to admit, however, that one particular tree stopped in my tracks last night, and I want to know what you think of this décor.

Noah Lueker/TSM
Noah Lueker/TSM
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This upside-down tree has been decorated to look like the Tuscaloosa Tornado. There are icicles that look like swirling debris, and the ornaments on the tree are signs from businesses on 15th Street that sustained heavy damage in the EF-4 tornado that devastated our city on April 27, 2011.

Noah Leuker/TSM
Noah Leuker/TSM
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I am curious as to what would have led someone to decorate a tree to look like a natural disaster that caused $2.4 billion in damages and claimed the lives of 64 people. Is it to mark the 10th anniversary of the tornado, which is coming up in April?

Could the tree be a testament to surviving the storm? If so, that's understandable. As someone who lived through April 27th and the days afterward, I can tell you that that day--and the weeks and months that followed--had a profound impact on me. I am forever thankful for the way the citizens of Tuscaloosa took care of one another after the storm, and I consider myself a permanent resident of the City of Champions after experiencing that altruism first hand.

What do you think of the "Tornado Tree?" Share your opinion with me through the Alt 101.7 app chat and let me know.

I would like to end this post by saying that I am happy the local business purchased a tree on the Tinsel Trail, as the sale of these trees allows one of my most beloved local non-profits continue to serve West Alabama. Tuscaloosa's One Place does incredible work as a family resource center, and we should always support their mission to improve the lives of those who live and work in our community.

Check out the videos below from The Tuscaloosa Thread to see this year's Tinsel Trail trees on display.

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