City to replace 'Charlie Brown' Christmas tree

READING, Pa., Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Officials in a Pennsylvania city said they are replacing the "ugly" downtown Christmas tree some residents said reminded them of "Charlie Brown."

Reading City Council President Francis Acosta said the 50-foot norwood spruce installed in the city's downtown will be replaced this week following numerous complaints from residents.

"My family will be paying for the tree," Acosta told WFMZ-TV. "The community, business owners and others will be paying for the decorations."

Many residents complained about the tree's appearance following its installation last week.

"Look at it, it's just ugly," resident Donna Broad told WTXF-TV.  "Looking around, the lights are just dangling."

"It just reminds me of Charlie Brown," Nanda Tucci-Venezia said.

The city's Downtown Improvement District said the tree was a last-minute replacement after heavy rains prevented crews from cutting down the tree originally selected to adorn the city's downtown.

Officials said the norwood spruce will be donated to a local business when the replacement arrives this week, but some residents said they plan to hold a rally Monday evening in an attempt to convince the city to keep the tree.