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Filed Under:Bernie Tafoya, Christmas tree, Lorraine Voelker, Mary Kay Kleist, Millennium Park, Northlake
A 63-foot Colorado blue spruce was cut down from the Voelker family's yard in Northlake, to be used as the city of Chicago's official Christmas tree at Millennium Park. (Credit: Bernie Tafoya/WBBM)

CHICAGO (CBS) — The city’s official Christmas tree was cut down Monday morning from in front of a home in west suburban Northlake.

“The tree here is a Colorado blue spruce, and it’s 63 feet tall,” said Mary Slowik, spokeswoman for the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

The tree from the Voelker family’s yard was chosen from among more than 130 entries submitted to the city.

“I’ve lived here 58 years, and I would say the first five years is when we planted a seedling,” said Lorraine Voelker.

Her oldest daughter, Lynda, submitted the tree unbeknownst to her mother.

“Then she got a call the week later saying that they picked the tree, and I said ‘Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, I submitted,” she said.

The Voelker family will be at Millennium Park to flip the switch on the holiday lights on the tree on Nov. 24. This is the first year the city is displaying its official Christmas tree at Millennium Park, after nearly 50 years at Daley Plaza.