This Article is From Nov 23, 2014

This Town's 'Ugly' Christmas Tree Prompts Public Outcry

This Town's 'Ugly' Christmas Tree Prompts Public Outcry

Reading's Christmas tree drew the ire of residents who said it was ruining their holiday spirit. (Associated Press)

Reading: A Christmas tree that might make Charlie Brown think twice is getting kicked to the curb a little early after residents of a Pennsylvania town complained it was too ugly.

Reading's spindly 50-foot spruce drew the ire of residents who said it was ruining their holiday spirit.

Now, a group led by the City Council President is raising money to buy and decorate a more impressive replacement. The current tree is topped with a lighted pretzel, a nod to the area's many bakeries.

The puny pine was a last-minute stand-in taken from a city park. The city had planned to get its tree from a farm, but the owner wouldn't let the crews drive on the wet ground when they went to pick it up.

Officials are hoping to have a do-over tree lighting ceremony next weekend.
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