Rockland — Rockland Main Street, Inc. constructed its annual world's largest lobster trap tree in Mildred Merrill Park Nov. 16.

A Harbor Park tradition since 2003, the lobster trap tree is a specially engineered, free-standing structure that consists of 152 lobster traps secured together with zip ties. Each of the 40-pound traps, which feature festive red doors, are built by Brooks Trap Mill in Thomaston, and will be lit from within by twinkle-light garlands.

Lorain Francis, executive director of Rockland Main Street, Inc., said that the tree is "very safe," but that the structure's hollow core makes for "definitely more of a challenge" in construction.

Volunteers from the Apprenticeshop, Camden National Bank, the Bolduc Correctional Facility, and Rockland Main Street, Inc. worked for roughly three hours to build the tree, which was then topped with a 5-foot fiberglass lobster.

As is traditional, 100 of the traps used in the tree will be raffled off in a drawing to be held Jan. 4, 2013. Raffle tickets cost $50, and are available for purchase at Brooks Trap Mill, Hamilton Marine, and Camden National Bank. Only 300 of the $50 raffle tickets will be sold, and proceeds will benefit Rockland Main Street, Inc.'s community events.

Executive Director Francis said that Rockland Main Street, Inc. is still seeking lobster buoys to decorate the tree. Buoys may be dropped off at the Camden National Bank branch on Main Street in Rockland, or donors may simply hang the buoys themselves.

Courier Publications reporter Bane Okholm can be reached at 594-4401 ext. 125 or by email at bokholm@courierpublicationsllc.com.

A view from inside Rockland Main Street, Inc.'s lobster trap tree. (Photo by: Bane Okholm)

Volunteers climb the exterior of the lobster trap tree, which stands more than 35-feet tall once completed. (Photo by: Bane Okholm)

Volunteers secure another layer of traps atop the growing tree Nov. 16. (Photo by: Bane Okholm)

Twinkle light garlands wait to be added to the finished tree. (Photo by: Bane Okholm)

The 5-foot fiberglass lobster tree topper is wrapped and ready to be raised onto the freestanding structure. (Photo by: Bane Okholm)

A view up the exterior of the lobster trap tree. (Photo by: Bane Okholm)

Volunteers prepare the lobster tree topper for its skyward journey Nov. 16. (Photo by: Bane Okholm)

Volunteers secure the fiberglass lobster atop the trap tree for the holiday season. (Photo by: Bane Okholm)

Several buoys that will decorate the lobster trap tree once completed Nov. 16. (Photo by: Bane Okholm)