Chicago seeks perfect Christmas tree to light up holidays _ no Charlie Brown versions, please

Oh, Christmas tree: Chicago needs a taller one

CHICAGO — Chicago officials looking for the perfect Christmas tree to grace Daley Plaza say that time is running short — and so are the trees.

The city has received about 30 submissions from people willing to donate a tree since announcing a contest in July. But none measured up to the required 55-foot-tall minimum.

So officials are having a do-over.

Ann Hickey is program coordinator for the mayor’s office of special events. She says the city wants a spruce or fir that’s at least 55 feet. Submissions due Oct. 11 must include three photos and an essay on why the tree should be chosen.

Last year’s 56-foot blue spruce was donated by a Palos Heights family. Previously, the city had a 90-foot tree that was made up of 113 smaller trees.