It’s Christmas in July for the Department of Conservation. Forestry Coordinator Nick Kuhn is asking Missourians to take a look at their grand, old evergreen trees and let his department know if they’d like it to be showcased this December at the Governor’s mansion in Jefferson City. Kuhn says he is looking for a white pine, Norway spruce, or eastern cedar that is at least 40 feet tall and fully branched on all sides.

Conservation Department staff unloads the Governor's Mansion official Christmas tree on Madison Street in Jefferson City. (Missourinet photo, 2009)

Conservation Department staff unloads the Governor’s Mansion official Christmas tree on Madison Street in Jefferson City. (Missourinet photo, 2009)

The Missouri Department of Conservation does an annual statewide search for an ideal holiday evergreen for this honor, and MDC is asking Missourians to nominate suitable evergreens from their properties.

“Many homeowners, businesses and communities have wonderful evergreens that need to be removed for home expansion, utility work, or other reasons,” Kuhn says. “Using one of these large evergreens for the governor’s mansion is a great way for the tree to be seen by many, and be remembered for years to come. The owner of the chosen evergreen will also receive a personalized thank-you from the governor, an invitation to the lighting ceremony, and of course, bragging rights!”

Nominated evergreens and properties must accessible by a large truck to remove the tree. Conservation staff will remove the evergreen at no cost to the property owner and the tree must be donated with no additional costs to the department or the state. The Conservation Department will coordinate the late-November cutting and delivery of the tree with the property owner and the governor’s mansion.

Photos of nominated trees can be emailed to [email protected], or mailed to Missouri Department of Conservation, Holiday Tree, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. All nominations must be received by Sept. 30.

Include property owner name, address, telephone number, email address, location of the tree, and several pictures taken from different angles and distances. A full list of rules and guidelines can be found HERE.