LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The 2023 Capitol Christmas Tree was historic on several accounts before it was put into position at the Capitol yesterday ahead of the Silver Bells Parade Celebration. 

It was the first time a tree was chosen from Presque Isle County, and one of only 13 other trees harvested in the Lower Peninsula. 

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“Seeing this not-so-little piece of our Northeastern Michigan community on the doorstep of our Capitol is incredible,” said Representative Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan) about the 60 foot tree. “Having the opportunity to be a part of this great endeavor has been a highlight of my time in Lansing.” 

The tradition of the Capitol Christmas Tree dates back more than a century, according to Valerie Marvin, Capitol Historian and Curator. 

“Newspaper articles suggest that there was a municipal tree – often harvested from a city park – placed on the Capitol’s lawn pretty much every year from then on out,” Marvin said in an email to Michigan News Source. “Sometimes this was one of multiple trees put up downtown, or sometimes it was the only one.”

It was not until the 20th century that the tradition changed into something more akin to what we see today. 

 “In the late 1960s the city of Lansing tree’s location shifted to the intersection of Washington and Michigan, in an attempt to tie it to the new “pedestrian mall,” she said in the email. “This wasn’t overly popular, and by 1971 it was back on Capitol Square.” 

However, under Governor James Blanchard, Michigan adopted the tradition in 1987 according to Marvin. 

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“Upon visiting Rockefeller Center in December a year or two before, [Gov. Blanchard] decided that Michigan could and should have her own tree,” she said in the email. “This coincides, of course, with Michigan’s Sesquicentennial, when a significant number of special events were held across the state, and in Lansing. This tree is significantly larger than the city’s traditional tree. To accommodate it, a new well for the tree is approved by the Michigan Capitol Committee and installed by the Department of Management and Budget.”

While this year’s tree is still taller than a vertical sperm whale or semi-truck, records from pre-2000 indicate there were even larger ones back in the day. 

“I only have records regarding respective tree heights that go back to 1987,” Marvin said in the email. “Between 1987 and 1992 there were several 75’ trees. Most trees since about 1993 have ranged from 58’ to about 65’.” 

The 36th annual Christmas Tree was donated by a resident of Onaway, Victor Ruppert, who donated the tree in honor of his recently deceased wife, Shirley.  Rep. Cavitt had an opportunity to help fell the tree. 

“I’m so grateful that Mr. Ruppert made this heartfelt donation,” Cavitt said. “Our entire Presque Isle community is proud that Shirley’s memory will be honored in Lansing this Christmas season.”

According to Matt White, Assistant Director of Facility Operations, several organizations including the Michigan Association of Timberman seek a spruce or fir tree every year around May and will announce what they are looking for, then choose one and place it at the Capitol the last Saturday in October. 

“Tree remains lighted until January 1, 2024 We then have the lights & star removed by the [Lansing Board of Water & Light] (LBWL) and city Forestry will come in and take the tree down, turning it into mulch for city parks and recreation use,” White said to Michigan News Source in an email. “Timberman Association will sometimes take the trunk of the tree to local sawmills for turning the trunk into park benches and other items.” 

In a little over two weeks, the tree will be ceremoniously lit at the Lansing Silver Bells in the City celebration and parade on Nov. 17, ahead of the Thanksgiving Holiday and 5K race.