LANSING, MI – A 68-foot spruce will decorate the Michigan Capitol lawn during the holiday season.
It’s a major honor shared by just 38 other trees.
This year’s champion hails from Sault Ste. Marie and will be transported approximately 290 miles to Lansing, the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget announced. It’s due to arrive on Saturday, Nov. 1, with a tree-lighting ceremony scheduled for Friday, Nov. 21.
Linda Reid, of Sault Ste. Marie, donated the impressive tree in honor of her grandparents, Lawrence and Nettie Richey.
“I was shocked when I found out our tree was selected as the 2025 state Christmas tree,” Reid said. “I don’t remember a time when the tree wasn’t in the backyard, but my grandparents played an integral role in my life since I was a young girl, so it means a lot to be able to make this donation in their honor.”
The tree will be cut down on Thursday, Oct. 30, and transported to the Capitol with help from the Michigan Association of Timbermen, the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association, and DTMB’s Christmas tree crew.
At the Capitol, local Boy Scout troops perform the traditional untying of the honoree.
Next, the HI-Ball Company of Lansing will provide a crane and crew to hoist the victorious spruce into place near the intersection of Capitol and East Michigan avenues.
Once in place, the prized tree will be prepared for lighting and decorating.
The tree’s journey to fame will culminate with the tree-lighting ceremony at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, during the 41st annual Silver Bells in the City. The tree will be illuminated with thousands of twinkling lights throughout the holiday season.