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A small tree at the corner of an almond orchard just outside Modesto is decorated several times a year with colorful ornaments.

For passing motorists, the festive display has been something of a mystery.

So a couple weeks ago, the Modesto Bee looked into it.

The tree, it turns out, was cherished by a little girl named Danielle, the daughter of the orchard’s owners.

For whatever reason, the tree had failed to thrive, and David Genzoli, Danielle’s father, planned to rip it out. But Danielle protested.