The Spruce is part of The Spruce family of sites, including The Spruce Eats, The Spruce Pets, and The Spruce Crafts, covering home decor, home repair, recipes, cooking techniques, pets ...

MORE: Extreme Weather Is Making Travelers Change Plans) Fast forward a few decades, as the Alberts' son left home and started a family of his own. The spruce tree towered high next to the family ...

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times Share The blue spruce in front of the De La Cruz home was only about 20 feet tall when the family moved in 37 years ago — low enough for Abby De La Cruz’s grandpa to ...