When my parents lived at The Lake, the ceiling was 18 ft. In the summer, we would scout for the perfect tree. When we arrived in December, we'd head out to get the tree. We did not cut the tree, rather I would have to climb the tree with a handsaw and parachute cord. I would have to attach the cord, cut the top off the tree and my brother and dad would guide it to the ground. There were times we had to drag the tree a mile or so over snowcovered rocky terrain. Once we got it home, we'd have to make sure the ceiling fan was off before we'd try to stand it up (fortunately, we only to clip the top off one Christmas tree to learn that requirement).
The larger ornaments went up at the top so that you could see them when sitting in the livingroom. It took us an entire day to decorate it. My brother and I would start with the lights (using cross-country ski poles to position them), and then the ornaments.
Ever since I was a child, I wanted a HUGE Christmas tree. The last Christmas at The Lake, we had to take two feet off the base of the tree because I cut it too tall. When we measured from the lower branches to the other side, it was 12 ft. It was a beautiful tree (and a wonderful Christmas). I have photos of it somewhere, but it was the whole process of getting the tree, putting it up, and then, of course, taking it down (not nearly as much fun, but just as tricky).
We laughed so much when putting it up--it can be a bit tricky to get an ornament on a tree using a ski pole while leaning over the railing of a loft...there were several calls to the those below "Falling Angel!" or "Falling Star." The top was always topped with a large angel, surrounded by a choir of angels and stars and then the more earthly ornaments went on (deer, loons, etc.). It took a lot of ornaments to cover that tree, not to mention lights. For some reason, Christmas trees just aren't my thing anymore. It guess that tree was a tough act to follow...