The holiday season in Chicago is officially set to start with a towering 68-foot Norway Spruce from Glenview, which will serve as the city's Christmas tree this year. Reported by NBC Chicago, the tree was selected by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and marks the 112th Christmas Tree to be displayed in Millennium Park.
Preparations for the tree's journey include a precisely planned cut-down scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at the Mason family's home in Glenview. The tree is expected to be transported to a landscaping yard before making its way to Millennium Park later in the week. According to Neil Heitz, DCASE director of event production, they now have "about 3 weeks to get it decorated," a process which will culminate in the tree-lighting ceremony slated for November 21.
The spruce, one of the largest in the city's history, was not just chosen for its grandeur but also because it needed to be removed due to its roots causing foundational issues at the Masons' household. As CBS Chicago explained, the homeowners, Ryan and Jody Mason, intended to use this necessity to offer the tree for the city's holiday festivities rather than disposing of it as firewood.
In an embrace of sustainability, pinecones from the Masons' spruce will be collected to hopefully grow new trees, the progeny of Chicago's 2025 Christmas sentinel. These pinecones will be sent to Jody Mason's father, who "owns a tree farm in Indiana." Their use is intended to both honor the spirit of the holidays and to create a living legacy from the Masons' beloved tree, as per statements made to CBS Chicago.
The city's tradition continues strong with the annual celebration and tree-lighting event, which not only illuminates Millennium Park but also heralds the arrival of the quintessential Chicago holiday experience. Following its public presentation through the season, the tree will remain on display until early January, symbolizing the hopes and joys that animate this time of year in the city.
