The backyard of Brad and Elizabeth Kowieski was the site of the cutting ceremony for the state Christmas tree today. Governor Scott Walker announced earlier this month the tree fit the requirements to be on display at the capitol. The tree is a forty foot tall, 30 year old balsam fir. Brad says he planted the tree on Arbor Day in 1985 at his parents’ house when he was in the fourth grade at Nativity Our Lord Catholic School in Rhinelander. While Brad says the tree is a treasure full of memories, he says cutting it down was rewarding.
“…we picked this spot to plant it and it survived everything that nature and people could throw at it. It’s cool for that reason. Surviving through everything that can be thrown at nature and us and you get through it and something cool happens with it.”
Brad, along with a group of fourth graders from Nativity Our Lord, planted a new tree in place of the old one. He says while Christmas represents the birth of Jesus, planting a new tree means the birth of new opportunities and memories.
“…The opportunity to show kids that if you take time to do something when you’re young, it can have fruit when its older; I think we’re losing that today, and just showing the ability to rejuvenate and grow and plant seeds and watch them grow is important.”
The tree is scheduled to arrive in Madison tomorrow morning. Walker has requested the help of students from public and private schools across the state to craft and create ornaments to decorate the Christmas tree. The theme for this year is Wisconsin sports.
