CHICAGO — City officials are looking for the perfect spruce or fir tree to be the city's official 2017 Christmas tree.
Applications can be submitted through Oct. 20, officials said.
The winning tree must be at least 55 feet tall and be located less than 100 miles from Chicago's Loop. Pine trees need not apply — they are not sturdy enough to stand up to the elements in Millennium Park, officials said.
To submit your tree, email dcase@cityofchicago.org or by mail to the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, ATTN: Christmas Tree Contest, 78 E. Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602.
Applications must include the owners' name, address, phone and email; at least two photographs, one from afar and one up close; and "a brief description of why the tree should be Chicago's official Christmas Tree including any background information on the tree that makes it special," officials said.
The tree selected to be Chicago's Christmas Tree will be announced in early November.
After nearly 50 years in Daley Plaza, the city's Christmas tree will spend its third year at Millennium Park, where the city offers ice skating and other winter-themed events such as caroling at the Bean.
Officials will light the tree at 6 p.m. Nov. 17 as part of the 104th annual event.
