State’s Christmas tree arrives at State House in Columbia

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s Christmas tree has arrived at the State House in Columbia.

News agencies report that the tree was delivered Monday. This year’s tree is a 35-foot white fir from Pinetum Christmas Tree Farm in Swanton, Maryland. Bruce Vollnogle, owner of TimberTech in Greer, volunteered to make the long drive to bring the tree to Columbia.

The Columbia Garden Club and the Garden Club of South Carolina procure the state’s Christmas tree each year. In years past, the garden clubs raised money to purchase the tree. This year, Pinetum owners Marshall and Cindy Stacy donated the tree in light of the recent flood devastation.

The tree will be decorated with 10,000 LED lights and 900 ornaments.

The tree will be lit during the 49th Annual Governor’s Carolighting on Nov. 30.