Nathan Phillips Christmas tree run over by the gravy train?

Toronto's traditionally towering tannenbaum is a little less towering this year, and a little less twinkly, and shoved to the side of Nathan Phillips Square.

But don't blame the penny-pinching mayor-elect. In fact, he might blame the gravy train.

City staff say the tree being decorated this week came from Weller Tree Service in Keswick, as all Nathan Phillips Square trees have for more than 40 years. But this one is about 11 metres tall, compared to the usual 19. That means a bunch of decorations are being left in the box.

And instead of dominating the centre of the square, the 2010 tree is near the northeast corner, almost leaning against the walkway to City Hall's green roof.

The changes are necessary because of the redevelopment of Nathan Phillips Square, which Rob Ford criticized as wasteful spending during the mayoral campaign. He has, however, said he won't stop the now-well-underway project. The square is so torn up for the revamp that it's impossible to have the usual giant in its centre.

Oh well. What's Christmas without gravy?