Reaction mixed after Birmingham opts for fake Christmas tree

By Maurielle Lue
Fox 2 News Reporter

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. (WJBK) -- City officials in Birmingham have traded a live tree for a sprawling, 35 foot, pre-lit, fake tree.

The new tree is made of Taiwanese PVC with more than 22,000 LED lights, nearly 300 branches and more than 56,000 tips.

Birmingham's new tree comes with a hefty price tag.  The city paid $30,000 for it.  The money came from the Principal Shopping District, the Department of Public Works, and donations from Birmingham businesses.  

People we spoke with had mixed reactions.

"The new tree's pretty nice, looks great, but I think the old tree I'll miss because I grew up with that one," said Milan Kulics.

"I do like it.  It's a lot bigger than the old one and it's got a lot more oomph to it," said one woman.

"It's a lot of money for a tree," another woman remarked.

"I got the environmental reasons why you would do a fake one, so I support the fake one," yet another woman said.

"I kind of like the authentic nature of decorating a tree that's growing in town," said Dan Reynolds.

The official lighting of the new tree is scheduled for Wednesday evening at Shain Park.

We called the City of Birmingham and are still waiting for a response.