Denise Blue said she received an early Christmas present when a blue spruce in her yard was selected as the City of Milwaukee’s official Christmas tree, a tradition that dates back to 1913.
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Each year, Milwaukee residents are asked to nominate a Christmas tree for the holidays. The shortlisted trees are then judged for their size, shape, uniformity, density and color. The ideal tree must be between 30 and 40 feet tall and accessible for harvest with a crane. The donors of the chosen tree are asked to flip the switch in the Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
“This is a phenomenal honor,” Blue said. Her nephew Alonzo Miller Jr. came up with the idea of submitting their tree as a possible contender. “It’s all his fault,” Blue joked. “He started all this mess.”
Blue said they gave the city a call, and they sent someone out to look at her tree. “A couple of weeks later they chose ours to be the city’s official tree.”
Miller said the family was thrilled the city chose their tree. “We hope the tree can bring families together during this joyous time of year, just like it always has for us,” Miller said. “The rings on the stump and through the tree remind us of the growth and tightness of our family. This is the reason we’re deciding to send the stump piece around to the family each year.”
Blue said she purchased the home in 2001, and the previous owner advised her he planted two trees in honor of his brother who had served in the military. “He passed away, and he was a twin. I’m a twin, and I served eight years in the military, and I feel some connection with that.” Blue said crews were able to reach the chosen tree, which was wrapped in snow, from the road.
When a tree is selected, the city’s forestry staff cuts down the tree and uses a crane to place it on a flatbed truck for transportation downtown. The crew then removes the stump and fills in the hole.
The Milwaukee Police Department escorted the tree to its new home in the Deer District, which has been temporarily renamed “Cheer District.”
“The experience is definitely something that will act as a conversation starter,” Blue said.
There’s a visible vacancy in her yard, but Blue said there is an upside. “It was so dark inside the house when the tree blocked the windows. I felt like a vampire. Now that the tree is gone, I have a lot of sunlight coming through. I’m getting a lot of vitamin D.” Blue hasn’t ruled out planting a new tree but thinks spreading some grass seed might also be the way to go.
Blue worked for the county for 29 years and retired as a captain with the house of corrections. “Early on I dealt with inmates all the time,” Blue said. “As my career progressed I became more involved with administrative issues.”
The dedication in the “Cheer District” is Friday, Nov. 17 from 5-7 p.m., and Blue will be in attendance. “The city asked us to be onstage in the family VIP section. At first, I was a bit reluctant, but this all turned into a great honor,” Blue said.
