Michigan’s official state Christmas tree will not come from the Upper Peninsula this time.
This year’s tree will hail from Alpena this year after the 62 foot spruce was selected by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget.
The tree was donated by Mike and Shelly Catto and will be transported to the Capitol for placement during the holiday season on Oct. 25.
This is the 10th tree to come from the Lower Peninsula and the second state tree to come from Alpena County. The first was chosen in 1989.
“The state Christmas tree is something Michiganders look forward to every year,” said DTMB Director and Michigan CIO Dave DeVries. “People come from all over the state to see the tree decorated in front of the Capitol.”
The tree will be harvested on Thursday, Oct. 25, and delivered to Lansing with help from the Michigan Association of Timbermen, the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association, Michigan Operators Engineers and Western Starr Trucking. The timbermen will cut the tree and transport it to Lansing at no cost to the state.
At the Capitol, Boy Scout Troups 109 and 125 will be on hand to untie the tree. The Hi-Ball Co. of Lansing will provide a crane and crew to set the tree at the intersection of Capitol and East Michigan avenues. The Christmas tree will remain throughout the holiday season.
The tree lighting will take place on Friday, Nov. 16, as part of the 34th Annual Silver Bells in the City celebration in Lansing.
