ONAWAY, MI — The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) has selected the official 2023 state Christmas tree. It’s a 60-foot spruce harvested from Onaway in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, according to a press release.
This is the first tree from Presque Isle County, and the 13th from Michigan’s Lower Peninsula since an official tree began being placed at the state Capitol each holiday season in 1987.
The tree will be harvested Thursday, Oct. 26, 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. The spruce will arrive in downtown Lansing on Saturday, Oct. 28.
Once at the Capitol, local Boy Scout troops will continue the tradition of untying the tree. The spruce will be placed near the intersection of Capitol and East Michigan avenues.
The entire journey culminates with a tree lighting ceremony Friday, Nov. 17, at the 39th Annual Silver Bells in the City celebration.
The state says Onaway resident Vic Ruppert and his family have donated the tree in honor of his late wife Shirley Ruppert.
