McHenry spruce chosen as Chicago's Christmas tree

A 70-foot-tall blue spruce from McHenry that was likely headed to the mulcher has been selected as the official Christmas tree for the city of Chicago. The tree will be on display at Daley Plaza starting next month.

Chicago residents voted for the 80-year-old tree submitted by McHenry business owner John Colomer, who along with his family will join Mayor Richard Daley for the tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 25.

Colomer said the tree, which for now stands at the corner of Pearl Street and Rickman Road in the oldest part of McHenry, was destined to be chopped down because of its age and because it is on a soon-to-be developed lot.

“Be it the woodman's ax for development or the ravages of nature, the tree would have been knocked down,” said Colomer, who said he thought his tree was a fir. “This is a good send-off for the tree.”

Colomer's tree beat two other finalists that included a 56-foot blue spruce from Willowbrook and a 55-foot blue spruce from Western Springs.

In his contest entry, Colomer wrote, “a tree that has had such a long life and whose beauty has long been admired by so many in the community deserves to be recognized and be chosen as the 2010 city of Chicago Christmas tree.”

Colomer thanked voters for selecting the tree.

“It is a lovely tree and we are really honored that it was picked,” he said.

The tree will be cut down on Thursday, Nov. 4, and delivered to Chicago and installed the following day.

The mayor's office received more than 70 submissions from Illinois and Indiana.