Donate your large evergreens to MDC for governor’s mansion Christmas tree

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is conducting its annual search for a large Christmas tree for use on the governor’s mansion lawn in Jefferson City. MDC is asking landowners, homeowners, businesses and communities that may have possible candidate trees to contact the Department.

To qualify, the donated tree must be about 40 feet tall and an eastern red cedar, Norway spruce or white pine. Candidate trees must be fully branched on all four sides and accessible by large equipment for removal.

The right tree may either be near the end of its life or may need to be removed for other reasons. Once a tree is selected, MDC staff will coordinate the cutting and delivery of the tree to the governor’s mansion at no cost to the owner. The donor will receive a personalized thank-you from the governor and an invitation to the lighting ceremony, which usually occurs the first week of December.

“Sometimes there are wonderful evergreens that need to be removed for home expansion, utility work or they’ve simply grown too large for the space,” says MDC 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.”

Hinnah instructs people to take photos of candidate trees and email them to holidaytrees@mdc.mo.gov. Be sure to include a contact telephone number, location of the tree and several pictures taken from different angles and distances. Candidate tree nominations can be submitted by mail to: Missouri Department of Conservation, ATTN: Mansion Christmas Tree, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

All entries must be submitted by Oct. 10.

Full guidelines are available at mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/governors-mansion-christmas-tree-search. For more information or questions, contact the MDC Forestry Division at 573-751-4115.