Spruce from Wauconda Twp. to be Chicago's Christmas tree
A 69-foot Norway spruce that was grown in Wauconda Township will be Chicago's official 2016 Christmas tree.
The tree was donated to the city by Bill and Margie Scholla. It grew alongside their house on the 25000 block of West Lakeview Avenue for nearly 50 years.
It will be on display this winter in Millennium Park. The tree will be decorated with 48,375 multicolored lights and topped with a star.
"By the time they're done with it, it's going to look beautiful," Margie Scholla said. "We're ecstatic about seeing it all lit up in Millennium Park."
A tree-lighting ceremony is set for 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18.
The Schollas' tree was chosen from a field of 120 submissions by Chicago's department of cultural affairs and special events.
The Schollas have sought to donate the tree to the city each of the past three years. Last year, the behemoth evergreen was a runner-up, and they were encouraged to try again this year, Margie Scholla said.
The couple wanted to donate the tree because they were concerned about potential storm-related damage to their house, Margie Scholla said.
"It was getting just too big," she said.
A landscape crew cut down the tree Thursday morning after spending two days tying the branches and preparing it for travel.
The Schollas were joined by relatives, friends and neighbors to watch the workers saw through the tree and then remove it with a giant crane and a flatbed truck.
"It was awesome," Margie Scholla said. "I've never seen such a big crane."