State Christmas tree chosen with 3 months to go

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — There are only 105 days left until Christmas, and the official Michigan state Christmas tree has been chosen. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget selected a 60-foot spruce tree from Eagle to be the 38th State of Michigan Christmas tree.

The spruce will arrive in downtown Lansing on Nov. 1. to spend its holiday season lounging on the front lawn of the Capitol.

Eagle residents Rich and Dorcas Albertson donated the tree from their very own front lawn.

“The decision to donate our tree is bittersweet – it’s a beautiful tree, and we love it. We have enjoyed it in our front yard for over 27 years, but it’s overgrowing its spot and encroaching on our driveway. We will sure miss it,” the Albertsons said. “When we first moved in, we hung lights on the tree each Christmas before it got too big. It will be nice to see it adorned with lights one more time this holiday season.”

This is the second state tree from Clinton County and the 14th from the lower peninsula since an official tree began being placed at the Capitol each holiday season in 1987. The Albertson’s tree will be harvested and transported to Lansing on Nov. 1, where it will be put up and decorated with the help of the local community.

A tree-lighting ceremony will be held on Friday, Nov. 22, at the 40th annual Silver Bells in the City celebration at approximately 7:30 p.m.

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