The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget harvested the official 2026 state Christmas tree in Iron Mountain on Thursday. It was a 60-foot-tall spruce, donated to the state by the Larry Riccio family at 902 Vulcan Street.
Hundreds of people turned out for the celebration, including the Kingsford and Iron Mountain High School bands and choir. It was cut down by the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association, led by longtime director Denny Olsen.
The tree was taken away on a flatbed truck and is scheduled to arrive in Lansing on Saturday. It is the 26th official state Christmas Tree from the Upper Peninsula, and the second from within the City of Iron Mountain.
Once it gets to the state Capitol, Lansing-area Boy Scout troops will continue the tradition of untying the tree. The HI-Ball Company of Lansing will provide a crane and crew to hoist the spruce into place near the intersection of Capitol and East Michigan avenues.
The City of Lansing’s forestry team will then prepare the tree for decorations developed by the Michigan Capitol Commission and the Lansing Board of Water & Light. The tree-lighting ceremony Friday, November 20, at the 42nd Annual Silver Bells in the City celebration. Rain or shine, dignitaries will flip the switch that turns on thousands of twinkling lights at about 7:30 that night.
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