When most people set up their Christmas tree it's accompanied with holiday music and cocoa, but it took a crane, eight ropes, two hours and 35 men to get a 38-foot blue spruce into the Capitol building on Friday — with no hot chocolate.
The spruce, which was later cut to 32 feet in order to fit, is now secured under the rotunda's chandelier and will be the last holiday tree in the building for at least the next four years because of renovations starting next July.
Joe Ligori, Capitol facilities manager, said it is too early to determine whether fire codes after the renovation will permit future Christmas trees in the building but crews took precaution this year by spraying about 30 gallons of fireproofing on the tree.
Under its 20-foot base, the spruce, Utah's state tree, sits in a 50-gallon drum and sucks in about 20 gallons of water per day.
After the weekend, crews will begin decorating the tree, which Ligori estimates will have more than 10,000 lights, with ornaments taken from
a collection accumulated through the years. It will take the grounds crew about three days to complete the job, Ligori said.
Starting in September of every year the Capitol crews start looking at the many offers Utah residents have made to donate trees that have out-grown their yards or just worn out their welcome. This year, Ligori said, there were about 50 offers but David Jorgensen of Orem had the best tree for the job and it was taken from his yard on Thursday.
Ligori said after the decorations are set the tree will be lit during a Dec. 2 ceremony with Gov. Olene Walker.
E-MAIL: terickson@desnews.com