File:Minnesota-State-Christmas-Tree-St-Paul-1962.jpg

The cover of the December 15, 1962 issue of The Farmer Magazine. The caption reads:

Minnesota has its second official Christmas tree

THE GLITTERING GIANT above, bedecked with golden bulbs, became the Christmas symbol of all Minnesotans last year when it was erected on the lawn of the state capitol. Now a second monarch, a 68-foot White Spruce, is being installed on the south slope of the capitol lawn.

Both trees have been donated to the state — the first by the Seldon Banks from their farm north of Crosby, the second by Douglas Ekbom, Brainerd, from his tree plantation near Blackduck, Minn. The tree above resulted from a search by state Conservation Division foresters, at the request of Gov. Elmer L Andersen, for a well-shaped, good-sized tree frowing in an area accessible to a truck and crane. They found it in the Banks' pasture, and were promptly given the tree when its intended use had been explained.

This year's tree is 62 years old, has a maximum branch spread of 37 feet, weights 3½ tons and contains 640 feet of merchantable lumber. It is being decorated with 2,000 lights. End.