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President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a rally at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016, in Mobile, Ala. In the background is a large cedar tree that was cut down at Public Safety Memorial Park and used as a back drop during Trump's rally. On Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, Colby Cooper -- chief of staff to Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson -- issued an apology for his role in having the tree cut down. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

(Evan Vucci)

The City Council meets Tuesday, August 26, 2014, at Government Plaza in Mobile, Ala. City Attorney Ricardo Woods, left, Chief of Staff Colby Cooper, center, and Mayor Sandy Stimpson are pictured during the meeting. (file photo)

The chief of staff to Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson issued a public apology Sunday for his responsibility in having a cedar tree cut down at Public Safety Memorial Park Friday and transported to Ladd-Peebles Stadium as a prop during President-elect Donald Trump's rally on Saturday.

Colby Cooper, who has been Stimpson's chief of staff since 2013, said he became "overzealous" in making sure "every detail was covered and the expectations" of Trump's team were exceeded ahead of Saturday's televised rally.

"I now know that there are citizens who are upset and offended that a tree from a city park was used as part of the decorations for the event," Cooper said in a statement sent out to the local media. "I accept full responsibility for having this done. For this, I sincerely apologize. Going forward, I will be more sensitive to the spectrum of concerns regarding trees."

Cooper had been charged with working with Trump's advance team last week in preparation for the rally, which was the final one during Trump's post-election "Thank You" tour. The president-elect spoke more than an hour before a large crowd at Ladd-Peebles Stadium and the large tree decorated with Christmas ornaments served as a back drop, blocking the stadium's scoreboard.

Midtown Mobile residents noticed activity at the park on Friday speculation flooded social media sites as to why the tree was being cut down. Posts on the Nextdoor online community alerted residents to what was happening, and they began forwarding concerned emails to Stimpson's office.

Trump stump 10 Gallery: Trump stump

One woman said she emailed Stimpson: "Our city parks aren't Christmas tree farms. An old growth tree from a city park for backdrop? Insane."

Another resident posted online the photo of the tree standing in the stadium on Friday afternoon. "Poor tree. Killed for a ridiculous purpose."

Cooper said on Saturday that the city planned to "re-purpose" the tree for another use, but it's unclear what that might be.

This isn't the first time the city's administration has been involved in a tree-related controversy. In July 2015, nine oak trees were cut down near downtown's Bienville Square to make room for a hotel parking lot.

Blame was directed at the Stimpson administration as a flurry of phone calls were made to local newsrooms and government agencies in protest. Cowart Hospitality, the planners of the new Hilton Garden Inn hotel, were fined about $300 for not securing the proper permit to take down one of the trees.

The city has a tree commission, but it's jurisdiction is to regulate trees in city right of ways and not private property. It's unclear what kind of oversight the commission might have on trees within city parks.

The following is Cooper's full statement:

"Yesterday's visit by President-Elect Trump to the City of Mobile was an incredible opportunity to showcase our City and offer a great event to those attending.

In preparing for this event, I worked closely with the advance team. In an effort to make sure every detail was covered and the expectations of the President-Elect's team were exceeded, I became overzealous.

I now know there are citizens who are upset and offended that a tree from a City park was used as part of the decorations for the event. I accept full responsibility for having this done.

For this, I sincerely apologize. Going forward, I will be more sensitive to the spectrum of concerns regarding trees."

- Colby Cooper, Chief of Staff, City of Mobile