Iron Mountain blue spruce selected as state Christmas tree

A 64-foot blue spruce from Iron Mountain has been selected as this year's state Christmas tree. Donated by the Larry Riccio family, the tree was harvested Thursday during the Michigan State Christmas Tree Harvest ceremony. It will be transported to the Capitol with assistance from the Michigan Association of Timbermen and the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association.

Once in Lansing, the HI-Ball Company will hoist the spruce onto the Capitol lawn. The tree is being prepared for the 41st annual Silver Bells in the City lighting celebration on November 20. Denny Olson, an Iron Range Farm Bureau member, chose the tree two years ago, noting it is 65 years old and has endured drought in the area.

This is the second tree from Iron Mountain and the 26th from Michigan's Upper Peninsula since an official tree began being placed at the Capitol in 1987. Larry Riccio expressed honor in the donation, stating the tree has outgrown the family property since they bought their house in 1986.

Read the full story at michiganfarmnews.com.