Rome's official Christmas tree is shedding needles so quickly it has become a jolly joke for city residents. They're also needling Rome's mayor about the forlorn-looking specimen, which cost 48,000 euros ($57,000) to transport from South Tyrol, an Italian Alpine region. The city said Tuesday it is investigating why the tree is ailing. Despite the tree's 600 silver-colored 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.

Source: ABC News December 19, 2017 14:13 UTC