Christmas in this Arizona town comes with tumbleweeds not evergreens: We are extremely proud of our tree

Charlie Brown would love this Christmas tree.In Chandler, Ariz., the city celebrates the holidays by gathering around a giant creation made entirely of tumbleweeds — and they’re darn pleased with it.“We are extremely proud of our tree,” Hermelinda Llamas, part of the group that builds and maintains the tree, told The Post.“People come from other states and even other countries to see it.”The cherished tradition begins weeks before the big day.“In November, our Parks Division guys go out there and they look for brand new tumbleweeds,” said Llamas.

 The city workers eventually chase down 1,500 to 2,000 tumbleweeds, which are live plants that have detached from their roots, allowing them to dry out and blow around the desert floor.The next four weeks are devoted to fitting the tumbleweeds around a chicken wire mold that stands 35 feet tall and 20 feet wide.“They tug and push and squish to make it fit what we need it to look like,” Llamas explained.Once they’re in place, the eco-friendly tree is covered with 25 gallons of paint, then dusted with a show stopping 65 pounds of glitter.And don’t forget the 20 gallons of fire retardant.“All the businesspeople in town keep an eye on the tree, to make sure no one gets near it with a cigarette or pulls on the wires,” Llamas said.“They’re very protective of it, and it’s brought us all closer.”When the tumbleweeds are finally sculpted to perfection, the crazy creation is covered in a wild rainbow of 1,200 colorful lights.The beloved holiday tradition goes back to 1957, when the Chandler Community Coordinating Council began mulling over new decorations for downtown.A resident named Earle Barnum came up with the idea after remembering a community tree built out of pine branches in his hometown of Elkhart, Ind.The tree is lit on the first Saturday evening in December in a ceremony that attracts up to 15,000 happy viewers.

 Along with the amazing pageantry of lights, Chandler throws a festive...