Idaho’s Christmas tree in place at Statehouse

The 35-foot blue spruce was relocated from its North End home to the Capitol Monday, one week before the official tree-lighting ceremony.

The tree, which was 8 feet tall when it was planted in 1997, was cut from the property of Al and Jean Day on the corner of Resseguie and 18th streets.

Gov. Butch Otter and first lady Lori Otter will lead a tree-lighting ceremony on the Statehouse front steps at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23.

The Idaho Department of Lands cut the tree down, the Idaho Department of Transportation hauled it to the Capitol with a Boise Police escort, and Inland Crane donated a crane to help place the tree in front of the Capitol. The Idaho Department of Administration's Facilities Services will string approximately 10,000 lights on the tree, according to a state news release.

This story was originally published November 16, 2015 at 6:30 PM with the headline "Idaho’s Christmas tree in place at Statehouse."