Hundreds of students and teachers from three elementary schools in Yarmouth County gathered today for the annual Boston Christmas tree-cutting ceremony.

Students from Drumlin Heights Consolidated School, Ecole Pubnico-Ouest, and Ecole Bellville cheered and waved small Nova Scotia flags as the 48-year-old white spruce, which will be sent to Boston, was cut down in Central Argyle.

"It's wonderful to have this big crowd here in honour of our tree and it's just great to be part of the 40th anniversary of this Nova Scotia tradition," said Donna Spinney, who donated the tree along with her husband Ken.

The Spinneys donated the 14-metre tree from their property to the city of Boston on behalf of the province. This is the 40th anniversary of the tradition, which is a gesture to thank Bostonians for their assistance following the Halifax Explosion in 1917.

"The people of Boston reached out to us during a dark time in our province's history and this beautiful Nova Scotia Christmas tree expresses our deep thanks, once again, for neighbourly help that will never be forgotten," said Charlie Parker, Minister of Natural Resources. "I thank the Spinney family for generously providing this year's tree."

The RCMP also attended the ceremony, along with Yarmouth town crier Dave Olie, who delivered a declaration about the Boston Christmas tree tradition.

Children's author Bruce Nunn read from his book "Buddy, the Bluenose Reindeer and the Boston Christmas Tree Adventure." Tanya Davis, poet laureate for Halifax Regional Municipality, also read an original poem written for the occasion.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal will transport the tree to Boston. It is set to board the Digby ferry and cross the Bay of Fundy to Saint John, then continue through Maine and on to Massachusetts.

The tree's travel route can be tracked online and photos of the tree at various locations en route will be posted on an online map. The tree's progress can also be followed on Twitter @novascotialife.

A tree-lighting ceremony will take place on the Boston Common December 1. Roughly 30,000 people are expected to attend the event, which will also broadcast live at 8 p.m. Atlantic time.