Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe CHICAGO, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Residents of a Chicago high-rise said they have been banned from having natural Christmas trees due to concerns fire officials said may be overblown. Several residents of North Harbor Tower in downtown Chicago said their leases state "only artificial Christmas trees and greenery will be permitted" and fliers are posted every year reminding residents of the ban and stating natural trees represent potential fire hazards, the Chicago Tribune reported Thursday. Advertisement ZRS Management, which has managed the building since earlier this year, declined to comment and former management company Village Green said real trees are banned in its buildings due to fire concerns. However, Chicago Fire Department spokesman Quention Curtis said Christmas tree fires are somewhat rare in the city, with the last reported incident, which was in 2009, involving an artificial tree.
