While the NRD is generally more concerned with growing trees rather than cutting them down, District Forester Kyle Yrkoski made an exception in 2023. When he heard that the Nebraska capitol building needed a special tree for display through the holiday season, he nominated a blue spruce from one of the NRD's recreation areas for consideration.

Heather Dinslage, a capitol groundskeeper leader, told the York News-Times that people submitted around six to eight trees from mostly around Lincoln and Omaha for consideration. She visited each tree and settled on the tree from the Upper Big Blue NRD. The 20-foot tree met the requirements — a full tree that would fit through a doorway in the capitol.

The tree was harvested in early December, transported to Lincoln, decorated, and displayed in the capitol rotunda until after the holidays. David Eigenberg, NRD general manager, attended a tree lighting ceremony and posed for a picture with the donated tree alongside of Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen. 

“Harvesting a Christmas tree at an NRD recreation area is not allowed for the general public, however, providing a tree to the capitol building was a special honor for the district,” noted Chrystal Houston, public relations manager. “Under normal circumstances the NRD does not allow recreation area trees to be harvested.”

Interested in growing your own Christmas tree for future use? Check out the order form on the back page to order low cost bulk seedlings through the NRD’s Conservation Tree Program. You can also order at upperbigblue.org/trees.