Local Spruce is a Finalist for Chicago Christmas Tree

Although Halloween is certainly in the air, Christmas is undeniably around the corner. And Don and Klaudia Spangler, residents of the 4100 block of Johnson Avenue in Field Park, have been thinking about Christmas since July. 

According to the Spanglers, a large blue spruce has been enjoying life in the front yard of their home for the last 70 or 80 years. And they say they have the pictures to prove it. The tree now reportedly measures approximately 55 feet tall. Since they moved to Western Springs 17 years ago, the Spanglers say the fate of their tree has been up for debate. 

Due to the size of the tree, the Spanglers say they have experienced some problems in their living space, including foundation issues, encroachment and seepage. 

But according to Klaudia Spangler, "We never really had the heart to take it down."

So they say they came up with a creative solution to having the tree removed from their yard, while honoring its history. They entered the City of Chicago's Reader's Choice contest to be the official Christmas tree to be illuminated on Daley Center Plaza this holiday season.

Out of seventy-four applicants, the Spangler Family is now currently one of three finalists vying for the coveted award. 

The Spanglers say they, and as well as their land, have historical roots tied closely to the city.

"My parents grew up on the north side of Chicago and I grew up in a town called Norridge, which is as close as you can get to Chicago…so I spent my whole youth taking the EL downtown, I was downtown all the time…And since we've been married, we both work downtown and we've spent a ton of time down there," said Klaudia Spangler.

As for their tree, the Spanglers say there are some bigger names associated with their now famous spruce.

"Peck and Newberry, some of the big names in Chicago bought up a bunch of the property here and this area that we live in, called Field Park, is named Field Park, for Marshall Fields, who apparently bought all this property thinking that he might bring the World's Fair here…so there is a Chicago connection there as well," said Spangler.

The Spanglers are hoping their Chicago connections, along with the natural beauty of their tree will swing votes their way. A profile of their spruce, along with the other finalists is currenly online and open for voting. Even if their tree doesn't end up with top prize, they feel it is an honor to have been chosen as a finalist.

"I think if our tree is picked, it would be pretty exciting for everyone in town," said Spangler.

According to a recent press release Klaudia Spangler said," it would be an incredible honor to have our tree chosen, especially given the special significance of this being Mayor Daley's last tree-lighting ceremony."

For voting and information on the City of Chicago's search for the perfect Christmas tree visit http://suntimes.upickem.net/engine/Details.aspx?PageType=VOTING&contestid=19712.

Voting ends October 24th.