School’s out and summer means sun tans, barbeques, beach days, and…searching for Christmas Trees?
The hunt for the state holiday tree has begun. Michigan needs a 65-foot-tall evergreen that can sparkle on the lawn of the Capitol building in November.
“Everyone laughs that the process starts in June,” said Kurt Weiss with Michigan’s Department of Technology, Management and Budget, “But that’s when the process starts.”
Weiss says finding the perfect tree by November takes longer than one would think. First, nominations are submitted by Michigan residents from both the Upper and Lower Peninsula. But the state is very particular about the image of the tree. Potential State Trees go through months of inspection to make sure they meet proper specifications.
Unless the tree is at least 65-feet-tall, don’t bother submitting it. It also has to be a spruce or a fir. Most importantly, the tree must be easily accessible from the road with no power lines in the way.
“The ultimate resting place for the tree is the front lawn of the Capitol as part of the annual Silver Bells in the City, which launches the holiday season,” Weiss said.
When a tree is selected, donated tree removal service is provided by the Hi-Ball Company.
If you think you know of the perfect tree, you can nominate it at christmastree@michgan.gov.
-Alana Holland, Michigan Radio Newsroom
