MADISON, Wis. (WBAY) - A 30-foot balsam fir from Oconto County now adorns the rotunda in the Wisconsin Capitol.

The rotunda Christmas tree was delivered to Madison on Wednesday and installed Thursday morning.

The tree was harvested in Gillett on Monday. It was donated by the retired owners of Whispering Pines Tree Farm.

Dave and Mary Vander Velden also donated a second balsam fir to go in front of the governor’s residence.

Capitol staff credited the Vander Veldens’ years of professional, attentive care for giving the rotunda one of the best looking trees they’ve seen in years.

Decorating the tree will take two weeks, using ornaments made by Wisconsin students. The tree lighting ceremony is Dec. 4 at noon.

This year’s theme is “The Learning Tree.”

See Full Page