Montana Capitol Christmas tree harvested from Lubrecht Forest

GREENOUGH – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the harvest of the 2023 State Capitol Christmas tree from a Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) State Trust Lands plot in the Lubrecht Forest.

“Harvested on our public lands, this Montana tree will be proudly displayed in the State Capitol for Montanans to enjoy this Christmas,” Gov. Gianforte said. “I invite Montanans to join us when we light it in a week.”

The 2023 State Capitol Christmas tree was harvested in coordination with DNRC, the Montana Logging Association, Sun Mountain Lumber, and Parke Logging, Inc.

The DNRC Clearwater Unit provided the special use permit for the harvest and Jon Knight, a subcontractor with Parke Logging, recommended the tree to the governor for harvest.

“I was looking for a uniform, full pick, the epitome of a Christmas tree, and I found it,” Knight said. “It means a lot to me to have everyone up here. It’s the feeling of the Christmas spirit.”

 Christmas tree permits for national forest land are available at local Ranger Districts or online at Recreation.gov. Permits for the 2023 holiday season are $5.00 a tree, with a limit of three trees.

 The governor encourages Montanans to participate in the unique tradition of harvesting Christmas trees from public lands to benefit forest health and resiliency as well as improve wildlife habitat.

 The 2023 State Capitol Christmas tree will be decorated in the Capitol this week. The governor and first lady invite Montanans to join them at the Capitol for a tree lighting ceremony on Monday, December 4 at 5:30 p.m