State looking for official Christmas Tree

LANSING — On Monday, Michigan’s Department of Technology, Management and Budget officially kicked off hunting season for the tree that will reign over downtown Lansing’s holiday festivities.

“This is the perfect time to start searching for Michigan’s Christmas tree,” DTMB Director David Behen. “Families driving to vacations at the lake or in the woods can spend their travel time looking for the perfect tree. Not just any tree can grow up to represent Michigan.”

To be considered, the tree needs to meet several criteria. Nominees must be:

-A spruce or fir,
-At least 55 feet tall with a maximum crown of 24 feet and maximum trunk diameter of 30 inches,
-Within easy access of a road with no interference from wires,
-Available at no cost.

DTMB works with the Michigan Association of Timbermen and Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association to bring the tree to Lansing. In the last 30 years, trees have come from locations across the state – from the yards of Michiganders to public land near highways and forests. Last year’s tree was harvested in Sault Ste. Marie about two miles from the St. Marys River and the Soo Locks.

Nominations are requested by July 30, 2017. Individuals who wish to nominate a tree are asked to send their name, telephone number, a photograph of the tree and information about its size and location to ChristmasTree@michigan.gov, or by mail to:

Christmas Tree Search
Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget
Building Operations Division
P.O. Box 30026
Lansing, MI 48909