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Christmas tree to return to Camelback Mountain

Posted at 9:38 PM, Nov 30, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-01 00:40:16-05

A Christmas tree will be allowed at the top of Camelback Mountain.

The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department decided to allow a natural tree, without any ornaments, to be placed at the peak of the mountain, according to Gregg Bach, a department spokesman.

A change.org petition was launched after a tree was removed from Camelback Mountain less than 24 hours after a group of hikers hauled it up the mountain last week.

The tree had been vandalized and was subsequently removed, a park ranger said. 

Bach originally told ABC15 that a decorated tree could lead to litter, as the ornaments could fall off the tree. Tinsel presents a danger to birds of prey as the shiny decoration could confuse the birds while in flight, a park ranger said.

The replacement tree is set to be placed on Camelback Friday morning.