Lexington needs 3 Christmas trees

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Do you have a grand old tree that needs to be removed from your property? If so, consider letting the city use it.
The city needs three nicely shaped live trees to place in downtown parks to be decorated for the holidays. In return, the city and Kentucky Utilities will remove the tree free of charge to the owners.

The trees should be:
• 40- to 50-feet high;
• 20- to 25-feet wide;
• Either Norway spruce, Colorado blue spruce, or Douglas fir (no white pines).

“City officials will assess the tree to determine if it is suitable,” said Cathy Mobley, public service manager with the Division of Parks and Recreation. “If your tree is chosen, the city and KU will remove it on November 16 and provide stump grinding after removal.”

The chosen trees will be placed in Triangle Park at Main and Broadway; Isaac Murphy Park at Third Street and Midland Avenue; and in front of the KU building on Quality Street. They will be decorated and lit at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27, as part of Luminate Lexington.

The trees must also meet the following guidelines:
• Have a pyramidal shape, with fullness especially at the bottom;
• The body of the trees should have few or no holes;
• The trees 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 – preventing access; and
• Must be able to back a low-boy trailer up to the tree and place KU trucks on either side.

Property owners should call LexCall at 3-1-1 or (859) 425-2255 if they want to donate a tree. If your tree is chosen, you will contacted.