NEWPORT BEACH – The arrival of a 90-foot-tall Christmas tree to Fashion Island made quite a mark when its hoisting went awry Friday morning, causing the tip of the giant fir to puncture the wall above a luxury eyeglass shop.

Instead of decking the halls, the tree fissured the façade above the Optical Shop of Aspen. The treetop snapped, sending branches, pine needles and plaster tumbling to the ground.

But the blunder barely slowed the installation of the colossal evergreen. Soon, as some workers pried the wedged treetop from the storefront, others raised the slightly-marred tree into position in the Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus courtyard, where it will remain through Jan. 4.

The annual Christmas tree hoisting symbolizes the beginning of the holiday shopping season at Fashion Island. Soon, the tree will be decorated with about 20,000 lights and red, silver and gold ornaments. A nightly, 20-minute-long tree lighting ceremony will begin Nov. 7.

The fir traveled about 650 miles from its home near Mount Shasta in Northern California. It was installed by Victor’s Custom Christmas Trees.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7990 or mnicolai@ocregister.com