Tumbleweed Tree, 1957

Chandler’s Holiday Tradition

In 1957, a committee, headed by Bill Wilson, was tasked with developing new Christmas decorations that would make Chandler the envy of the Valley. The impetus for this, according to local legend, was a fire which burned the shed containing the city’s decorations. In reality, the need for new decorations arose when APS replaced all the light poles in Chandler with newer, flimsier poles which no longer supported the weight of the city’s old decorations.

Wilson’s committee called for several new displays including banners placed over the roads entering the city, lightweight decorations mounted on light poles, a “modern tumbleweed Christmas tree,” an animated Santa with reindeer, a nativity that filled most of the west half of the park, and a western themed Christmas display.

While the animated animals drew some attention, the greatest excitement centered on the 80 planned wreaths made from silver painted cotton bolls which hung on the new poles. Earle Barnum designed and displayed similar decorations the previous year.

The Tumbleweed Tree was also credited to Earle Barnum, as he was the tree’s “decoration designer.” The tree gained little attention that first year, aside from a passing mention in the newspaper that the community carol sing-along happened around the tree. The article failed to even note that the tree was made from tumbleweeds.

It took three years for the community to embrace the tumbleweed tree. By 1959, the cotton boll wreaths were forgotten and the local Arizonan newspaper was boasting about the “great Tumbleweed Tree.” The newspaper suggested that readers send photos and postcards of the tree to friends and relatives around the country in order to spread its renown. And thus, a great community tradition was born. Each year since 1957 a Tumbleweed Tree has stood in Downtown Chandler. Now the lighting of tree happens at the beginning of December accompanied by a Festival of Lights Parade. The tree stays lit through the holiday season.