It turns out Sandy was a grinch.

The Christmas tree that was delivered to city hall over the past week has been damaged in overnight winds.

In the same spot it's placed every year by the city hall building towards the back of Nathan Phillips Square, the tree is no longer upright but rather diagonal because it fell on the cherry picker parked next to it . It's what crews use to decorate it.

The top of the tree has been snapped off, lying on the ground, still a lush green.

Passers by just shake their heads, one saying it looks like the city will have to get a new tree for the festive season.

The tree was being prepped for decoration so it could be part of the city's Cavalcade of Lights celebrations in November.