RIVIERA BEACH -- When John heard a knock on his door Christmas Eve, he feared it was a grinch coming to take his banned booty:

A live Christmas tree.

Because in his gated condo community on North Ocean Boulevard, signs were posted Tuesday that real trees aren't allowed. 

"And it is the law that no live trees are permitted in any unit!" reads the print-out taped to a hallway door at Phoenix Towers. "Please remove your live trees immediately."

John's tree is already decorated with lights and shading a pile of presents for today's Christmas party. He doesn't want a confrontation and won't take it down, so he's nervous about revealing his name, just in case someone other than Santa tries to take out his tree.

That's what happened to the son of 79-year-old Jean Williams when condo leaders saw him drive up with a real tree tied to his roof.

"They greeted him at the door. They saw him coming," Williams said. "He was a little put-off. I thought that was a riot. He gave it away to his neighbor." 

Williams is on the board of directors at Phoenix Towers, but she hadn't bought a tree in the 25 years she lived there. She said she respects the rule and believes everyone should follow the rule for safety reasons.

A search of Florida's Condominium Law, state statutes and the Riviera Beach Municipal Code turned up no mention of indoor trees. Restrictions on real trees appears to be at the discretion of condominium associations. Various high-rises throughout the country have banned them, and the rule at Phoenix Towers has been in place for years. 

It would be easier to accept given longer notice, but seeing the ban two days before Christmas put a damper on Kathy Knox's holiday cheer.

"I'm a Florida native. I have never heard of such a ridiculous thing in my whole life," Knox said. "Everything's a fire hazard. I cook. I have candles. It's crazy."

A person well-suited to mediate the dispute is on the 15th floor, 86-year-old Connell Maguire, a retired priest. 

"The notice probably should've been out a little earlier," he said, but added, "It's probably a good idea because people might be careless."

Maguire was able to enjoy a real tree the first year he lived at Phoenix Towers 13 years ago. But the day after Christmas he was informed that his real tree wasn't allowed. So although he prefers the real thing, he is relegated to live out his days with an artificial tree. 

"I minded a little. I didn't pray about it. I didn't cuss about it either," he said. 

His advice to people like John: Unplug the tree at night, but it's OK to enjoy it.

"It's only a man-made rule," he said.