Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

MDC Looking for Christmas Tree Donation for Governor's Mansion

Plant Image Library
/
Flickr

Christmas is still about four months away, but the Missouri Conservation Department is already on the hunt for the perfect tree for the governor’s mansion.

MDC’s annual search for a tree to decorate on the mansion’s lawn in Jefferson City is underway, and the department is asking anyone with possible candidate trees to contact them.  Entries must be submitted by September 30.

To qualify, the tree must be about 40 feet tall and either an eastern red cedar, Norway spruce or a white pine.  Trees must be fully branched on all sides and accessible by large equipment.

Ideally, the tree may be either near the end of its life or may need to be removed for other reasons. 

“It sometimes happens that homeowners, businesses, or communities have wonderful evergreens that need to be removed for home expansion, utility work, or other reasons,” says Forestry Field Program Supervisor Russell Hinnah. “Having your tree displayed at the governor's mansion is a wonderful way to share its beauty with thousands of Missourians who visit the mansion during the holidays.”

Once a tree is selected, MDC staff will coordinate the cutting and delivery of it to the governor’s mansion at no cost to the owner.

One perk of donating a tree:  the donor will receive a personalized thank you from the governor and an invitation to the lighting ceremony, which is usually the first week of December.

Photos of candidate trees should be emailed to holidaytrees@mdc.mo.gov. Include a contact telephone number, location of the tree and several pictures taken from different angles and distances. Candidate tree nominations can also be submitted by mail to: Missouri Department of Conservation, ATTN: Mansion Christmas Tree, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

Full guidelines are available here. For more information or questions, contact the MDC Forestry Division at 573-751-4115.

Michele Skalicky has worked at KSMU since the station occupied the old white house at National and Grand. She enjoys working on both the announcing side and in news and has been the recipient of statewide and national awards for news reporting. She likes to tell stories that make a difference. Michele enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking, camping and leisurely kayaking.