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 be an eastern red cedar, Norway spruce or white pine that is fully branched on all sides and accessible by large equipment.

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 thank-you from the governor and an invitation to the lighting ceremony, which usually occurs the first week of December.

People who wish for their tree to be considered should take photos of and e-mail 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 also 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 October 4. Full guidelines are available at mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/governors-mansion-christmas-tree-search. For more information or questions, contact MDC Communications Specialist Holly Dentner at (573) 751-4115, ext. 3110.

PHOTO: Last year’s tree was donated by Doris Baker of Desloge, Mo. It was a 35-foot-tall Norway Spruce that had become too big for her front yard. (Photo courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation)