Rome's Christmas tree 'Mangy' needled for heavy shedding

ROME (AP):

Rome's official Christmas tree is shedding needles so quickly that it has become a jolly joke for city residents.

The 21-meter- (70-foot-) high tree, which was lit up on December 8, started dropping needles at a fast clip as soon as it was hoisted into the middle of bustling Rome's main square, Piazza Venezia.

Romans have dubbed the tree "The Mangy One". They're also needling Rome's mayor about the forlorn-looking specimen, which cost €48,000 (US$57,000) to transport from South Tyrol, an Italian Alpine region.

The city said yesterday that it was investigating why the tree is ailing.

Despite the tree's 600 silver-coloured decorative balls, the half-bare branches lend the square a forlorn rather than festive look.

Critics note that across town, the Vatican's Christmas tree, from Poland, appears healthy.