"Easter trees are very popular in parts of Germany," said Colleen Kohnen, "and I've wanted to do one for a very long time." The recent December storms created a unique opportunity for the creation of Kohnen's tree. The heavy wet snow that fell on Tehachapi following Christmas Day caused the loss of many trees throughout the area. Like many other residents, Tehachapi mural artist Lyn Bennett found that many of her manzanita trees suffered severe damage.

Another Tehachapi artist, Lynette Brown, knowing of Colleen's dream of an Easter Tree, suggested using a branch from Bennett's damaged manzanita as an Easter Tree. The result was a collaboration of the three women to create Kohnen's dream. Brown found the perfect branch and pruned it to look like a full tree. The first thought was to paint it white but both Kohnen and Bennett thought leaving it natural seemed a much better idea. The finished tree was then mounted in a big white pot.

Bennett hand painted dozens of individual eggs in bright spring colors and designs to hang on the tree. "There must be 400 of them," said Kohnen. The tree was placed on the antique piano that graces the back wall of Kohnen's Bakery amid other Easter decorations of flowers, rabbits and baskets where it will remain until Easter when it will be put away to be brought out again next year.

Although the dining area of Kohnen's is closed due to Coronavirus regulations, it can still be seen as a bright reminder that spring is here and Easter is just around the corner. Kohnen's Bakery is still open daily but for take-out only. They are allowing 5 customers at a time in line to accommodate "social distancing" regulations. While you are there, checkout Colleen Kohnen's Easter Tree.