Photos: A scrappy Christmas tree in Reading, Pa.

Reading, Pa., workers picked up the city’s scrappy Christmas tree as a last-ditch substitute when mud prevented them from reaching the tree they’d been sent to get from a farm. Complaints followed. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Dec. 7, 2014 8:23 PM PT

When the city’s sparse official Christmas tree drew complaints, the initial plan was to swap it out for a nicer one. Then the community had a change of heart.

The city of Reading, Pa., put up a Christmas tree that drew complaints for its sparse appearance. After planning to swap it out, the city decided to embrace it, even decorating it with a single red ornament a la the tree from “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Reading City Council member Francis Acosta donated a new tree to replace the scrappy original. His tree is on display too, a few blocks away. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The dedication of the city’s Christmas tree included a reading from “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

City officials and residents turned out for the tree’s dedication ceremony. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Jim Farnsworth, with 9-year-old son Matthew, attended the ceremony dressed as the Belsnickel, a Christmas figure from German folklore. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The tree at Ruso Pizza in downtown Reading looks considerably more festive than the city’s official tree, but some said the official tree was in keeping with the city’s hard-luck image. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Carlos Vasquez, an unemployed welder who delivers pizzas in downtown Reading, says the city’s tree represents the reality for many people in the area, who can’t afford a fancy Christmas. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)