Milwaukee seeks Christmas tree nominations

The City of Milwaukee’s Department of Public Works is accepting nominations for the 2017 City Christmas tree to be displayed at City Hall in downtown Milwaukee.

Eligible trees must be located in the city, and the ideal tree should be 30 to 40 feet tall, according to a news release from the DPW.

According to the release:

• The tree must be accessible for harvest with a crane, meaning there are no overhead wires present to interfere with removal.
• Generally, the crane is parked on the street near a front or side yard. The tree is cut down by DPW forestry workers.
• The workers will then use the crane to place the tree on a flatbed trailer, remove the stump and fill in the hole.
• The tree will then receive a police escort to City Hall.
• Trees will be judged on size, shape, uniformity, density and color — the same criteria that residents use to buy their own trees.
• The tree will be selected in early November and lighted at the City Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Nov. 16.

Mayor Tom Barrett will welcome the donors of the selected tree and all will take part in the lighting ceremony to “flip the switch," according to the release.

Residents who wish to have their tree considered should contact the City of Milwaukee at (414) 286-2489 by Oct. 13.