"It's the tallest Christmas tree in the South Island," Dunedin City Council events team leader Marilyn Anderson said yesterday.
"People ask if it's real, and we say: 'It's as real as Santa Claus'."
The tree was funded for 10 years in 2004 with a $65,300 donation from the Caversham Foundation.
"It takes about three days to put it up and then it gets strapped into place and the wrap gets put on," Mrs Anderson said.
"It takes another two days to get it really beautiful with about 20 boxes of decorations."
The tree was then topped off with 20,000 Christmas lights.
The Christmas tree was lifted into place at 1pm yesterday, by Smart Lift Crane Hire, which volunteered its services.
It would remain in the Octagon until "a few days before the New Year", Mrs Anderson said.
The lights will be switched on at 9pm on Saturday, after carol singing by the St Joseph's Cathedral School choir and Taieri College choir from 7.30pm.
