LEXINGTON — While the holidays are still months away, Lexington is already preparing.
The City announced that it's looking for trees for its holiday season celebration, and it's asking residents for help. Anyone with a large, nicely-shaped evergreen tree on their property is asked to consider donating it.
City officials will evaluate all trees and select two as the City Christmas trees. For those whose trees are chosen, the City and Kentucky Utilities will coordinate with the property owner to remove it in early November. While there isn't any financial compensation, removal of the tree and strump grinding will be free.
The trees will be showcased in Triangle Park and in front of the KU building on Quality Street. As part of Luminate Lexington presented by Kentucky Utilities, the trees will be decorated and lit Friday, Nov. 27.
Want to donate your tree? Here are the requirements they need to meet:
- 40- to 50-feet high;
- 20- to 25-feet wide;
- Be a Norway spruce; Colorado blue spruce; or a Douglas fir;
- Have a pyramidal shape, with fullness especially at the bottom;
- The body of the tree should have few or no holes;
- The tree should not be growing into houses or into other trees;
- Access must be provided with clearance of at least 10 feet in width, with no power lines growing in the trees;
- There should be no other obstacles, such as buildings that may prevent access; and
- Must be able to back a low-boy trailer up to the tree and place KU trucks on either side.
Interest property owners should call LexCall at 311 or Victoria Hamm at (859)277-8703. Owners of the chosen tree will be contacted by the City.