Naperville Christmas tree: Tall, green and 17
A really tall teenager took up residence Tuesday along Naperville's downtown Riverwalk and soon will become the city's symbol of the Christmas holiday.
No, it's not a basketball player wearing one of those light-up Rudolph sweaters, although there's certainly nothing wrong with that.
This particular teen - a 17-year-old - is a 21-foot blue spruce that park district crews installed in the now-dry Dandelion Fountain along the path near Webster Street and Jackson Avenue
The tree was donated by the Bennington Homeowners Association after the owner of a townhouse suggested they'd like a little more lawn and a little less tree on their lot.
Park officials say they picked the spruce out for its size, appearance and accessibility.
Crews are expected to string lights on it later this week, but the district will wait to officially flip the switch until after Thanksgiving.
The display is just a few reindeer-sized steps away from the park district's Santa House, which will open Dec. 1.