CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The city of Chicago cut down this year's official Christmas tree Friday morning on the South Side.
The tree is a 45-foot-tall Blue Spruce from Chicago's Morgan Park neighborhood and was donated by the family of Catherine Townsend, an 85-year-old retired Chicago Public Schools teacher.
She watched as crews cut it down at 9:30 a.m. Friday morning. Townsend planted the tree herself in the early 80s, when it was just three-feet tall. She was an avid gardener then.
"I have a little bit of sadness to see it go, but I have more joy because I know a lot of people will look at it down in Millennium Park and really marvel at the beauty," she said.
"To me it's unbelievable, just to share it with all of Chicago, I can't - I really can't express my feelings. Well I can use one word, I am highly elated."
The tree was chosen from among 50 that were offered to the city. It will go up in Millennium Park on Monday.
Neil Heitz, Program Director of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events said the Townsend Family submitted "lovely photos of their tree, as well as an accompanying story and it just fit the mold."
This is the first official Chicago Christmas tree to come from within city limits.
Due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns, the city will not host an in-person tree lighting ceremony for the public this year. Chicagoans and visitors are invited to attend a new virtual holiday program premiering on Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at YouTube.com/ChicagoDCASE.
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Those wishing to see the tree in Millennium Park near the intersection of Michigan Ave. and Washington St. can visit from Nov. 20 through Jan. 7. Millennium Park is open daily, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., for groups of 10 persons or fewer who practice physical distancing and wear face coverings. For more information, visit MillenniumPark.org.