Governor's Mansion gets tree from across street

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Administrators at the Missouri Governor's Mansion didn't have to look far to find a Christmas tree this year.

Typically, a tree is shipped from hundreds of miles away, but this year's 40-foot Blue Spruce was cut down Monday at a parking lot just across the street from the mansion.

Utility company AmerenUE offered the tree because it planned to redo the parking lot and remove the tree anyway, said Mindy Hovis, executive director of the Missouri Governor's Mansion.

Hovis said having the tree lifted across the street would be a cost-saver, although she did not have an estimate for the move, which consisted of using a crane to hoist the tree over the wrought-iron fence surrounding the Mansion.

"I would think having the tree coming from across the street would make the costs very, very minimal," Hovis said.

The tree will sit on the southeast lawn of the mansion.

Mansion staff were unpacking lights and preparing decorations for the tree, which will be officially lighted Friday.

Gov. Bob Holden and wife, Lori Hauser Holden, will host their first Christmas Candlelight Tours at the mansion beginning Friday.

Holden is expected to dedicate the state's official Christmas tree next week at the Capitol.