(CHANDLER) – Every Christmas holiday season since 1957, Downtown Chandler has been home to one of the most unique traditions in the southwest, the Tumbleweed Tree. When city leaders were looking for new holiday decoration ideas, Chandler resident Earl Barnum raised the idea of a tumbleweed tree after he saw a similar one in Indiana built out of cone-shaped chicken wire with pine boughs stuck in the holes. Many members of the community helped create the first tree in Chandler using tumbleweeds that they gathered from around town.
How is it made, you ask?
First, members of the City’s Park Operations Division gather hard-to-find tumbleweeds from the outskirts of the city. Between 1,000-1,200 tumbling tumbleweeds are collected each year and are used to adorn a 25-foot tall wire frame. Then, the tumbleweeds are sprayed with 25 gallons of white paint, 20 gallons of flame retardant and dusted with 65 pounds of glitter. The tree is later adorned with approximately 1,200 holiday lights that give it a spectacular look, day or night. The lighting of the Tumbleweed Tree draws a large crowd to watch the Mayor and members of the City Council flip the switch to light this magnificent sight. The Tumbleweed Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Parade of Lights help to bring our community together to kick-off the holidays.

Source: City of Chandler