Be Part of a Time-Honored Tradition by Donating Your Tree!

Click Here to Offer Up a Tree for Donation!

The Event

Celebrate the holiday season with friends and neighbors at the Village Green the day after Thanksgiving for our Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. This cherished tradition brings the community together for an evening of warmth and holiday cheer.

The Tree 

The centerpiece of the celebration is our magnificent holiday tree, adorned with over 10,000 lights and displayed at the Village Green, just outside of Village Hall. Each year, this tree is generously donated by a local family or resident, who are honored as special guests at the ceremony in recognition of their contribution.

Through the Holiday Tree Donation Program, residents with mature evergreen trees in their front yards can join a waiting list to have their tree selected for the ceremony. If chosen, the Public Works Department will contact you to arrange professional tree removal and transport to the Village Green.

The History! Click Here to View a Story Map 

Not only is this a wonderful opportunity to participate in a beloved community event, but it also provides residents with a way to remove a challenging tree at no cost. After removal, the tree’s stump is ground down, and the site is beautifully restored with fresh sod.  Your tree will be cherished throughout the holiday season and be part of Village history!

Interested in the Holiday Tree Donation Program? Contact the Public Works Department at 847-734-8800, where our team is happy to discuss details and answer any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where does the Village get its Holiday Tree?
A: Since the late 1990s, the Village’s Holiday Tree has come from the generous donations of our very own residents! Each year, residents with towering, majestic trees in their yards contact the Village, offering to share their trees with the community. In late summer, our Public Works Department carefully inspects each tree, and once all candidates have been reviewed, the Village's Leadership Team selects the perfect one to bring holiday cheer to our Village Green.

Q: What does the Village look for when selecting the Holiday Tree?
A: We’re always on the lookout for a tree that’s just right for the heart of our holiday celebrations! The ideal tree should be:

• Tall: Our recent Holiday Trees have been over 25 feet high, standing proudly as the centerpiece of the Village’s festivities.
• Full and Lush: We seek a tree that has a beautiful, symmetrical shape with plenty of branches to twinkle under the holiday lights.
• Strong and Sturdy: The tree must have a single, solid trunk. Trees with “double leaders” (two main growing stems) aren’t suitable, as they don’t provide the strength and shape needed.
• Easily Accessible: We love all the wonderful trees offered by our residents, but some are in locations that make them difficult to remove in one piece. Ideally, the tree should be in a spot that allows for easy transport.

Q: How does the Village transport the tree to the Village Green?
A: Moving such a grand tree is no small feat! Since 2019, the Village has used a crane and flatbed truck to safely transport our Holiday Tree. The process is similar to putting up a live tree in your home, but on a much larger scale! First, the tree is secured with a crane before it’s cut. Then, the crane carefully lifts it onto a flatbed truck, which carries the tree from its original location to the Village Green—where it stands tall to spread holiday joy!

Q: How can I offer my tree for donation?
A: If you have a tree that you think could be the Village's next Holiday Tree, we’d love to hear from you! Simply contact the Public Works Department at 847-734-8800. We’re always on the lookout for the perfect tree to light up our Village Green for the holidays.