Do you or someone you know want to have an evergreen tree removed from your property? If so, let the city use it for Lexington’s official tree lighting festival.
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; and
· Either a Norway spruce, a Colorado blue spruce or a Douglas fir (pine trees are not eligible as they are not sturdy enough).
“City officials will assess the tree to determine if it is suitable,” said Cathy Mobley, public service manager with Lexington Parks & Recreation. “There’s no financial compensation. If your tree is chosen, the city and KU will remove it on either Nov. 16 or 17 and provide stump grinding after removal at no cost to the homeowner.”
The selected 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 Friday, Nov. 24, as part of Luminate Lexington presented by Kentucky Utilities.
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. You will contacted by the city if you tree is chosen.
