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Crew puts up Christmas tree in Montana State Capitol

Posted at 10:36 AM, Nov 24, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-24 12:36:38-05

HELENA – The Montana State Capitol is looking and smelling a lot more like the holidays.

A crew of 10 spent Friday setting up a Christmas tree in the rotunda.

It takes a lot of equipment, about seven bins of ornaments, and 10 to 12 strands of lights to get the tree picture-perfect.

It also takes some Treasure State teamwork.

According to general services administrator Steve Baiamonte, the 30-foot Douglas Fir is from Deer Creek in Lewis and Clark County.

Lincoln-based Wayne Sherill Logging harvested the tree, donated by the McDonald Family Ranch in Canyon Creek.

“This is the people’s house,” said Baiamonte. “Traditionally, people like to put in a tree for the holidays. Secondly, because we’re an agricultural and timber state, it’s something really cool we can do to showcase a really important industry in Montana.” 

Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney even helped hang a few ornaments Friday afternoon.

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Mike Cooney@LtGovMikeCooney

Spent the day after Thanksgiving adding some holiday cheer to Montana’s beautiful State Capitol.

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Baiamonte says the tree will stay put until the week between Christmas and New Year’s.

It will be mulched once it’s taken down.

-Evelyn Schultz reporting for MTN News