Bozeman, MT – Governor Greg Gianforte has announced the harvest of the 2024 State Capitol Christmas tree, an Engelmann Spruce, from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) state trust lands near Bozeman. The tree was felled on Wednesday, marking the beginning of the state’s festive season.
Each year, Montana’s state Christmas tree is sourced from public lands, a tradition that Governor Gianforte emphasized as a special way to connect Montanans to their natural resources. “It’s a special tradition to harvest a Montana tree from public lands and display it in the State Capitol for all to enjoy at Christmas,” the governor stated. “Susan and I are looking forward to joining Montanans in Helena next week to light the tree and kick off this joyful season.”
The Engelmann Spruce, which stands over 40 feet tall, was selected from a parcel of trust land currently part of an active forest management project. The harvesting process was carried out in collaboration with the DNRC Bozeman Unit, the Montana Logging Association, and Mike Duffy Logging, which handled the cutting. The DNRC granted the necessary permit for the tree harvest, a process that requires approval and costs $10 per tree.
In addition to its festive purpose, the harvest of Christmas trees from public lands also serves a broader environmental goal. Governor Gianforte highlighted that such efforts benefit forest health, promote resilience, and improve wildlife habitat. “Cutting trees on state trust land helps improve forest management, benefiting the long-term health of our forests,” he explained.
The 2024 State Capitol Christmas tree will be decorated and displayed in the Capitol building in Helena next week. Governor Gianforte and First Lady Susan Gianforte have invited all Montanans to join them for the annual tree lighting ceremony on Monday, December 2, at 5 p.m. The event will mark the official start of the holiday season in Montana’s capital city.
