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Many High-Rises Forbid Real Christmas Trees

CHICAGO (WBBM) -- If you live in a Chicago high-rise, you might have to toss out your Douglas fir and just resign yourself to making do with pine room spray.

As WBBM Newsradio 780's Felicia Middlebrooks reports, many high-rises forbid real Christmas trees allowed.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Felicia Middlebrooks reports

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Residents such as Fran Windeler, who simply love real Christmas trees, aren't too happy.

Windeler told the Chicago Tribune she and her husband always look forward to chopping down their favorite tree farm in Ohio, adorning it with lights and ornaments, and putting it on display at their home.

But that all changed when they moved into North Harbor Tower, a high-rise apartment building at 175 N. Harbor Dr. just north of Millennium Park.

Building management will not comment, but the Tribune says Windeler's 2008 lease makes it clear that only artificial Christmas trees are permitted.

The grounds for the decision are that falling needles are messy, and live trees are considered a fire hazard.

The rule also applies at a number of other Chicago high-rises.

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