From the Sky: The State Christmas Tree
Special | 4m 2sVideo has Closed Captions
From the Sky: The State Christmas Tree.
The holiday season in South Carolina hosts a blend of tradition, warmth, and festive spirit. Each year, the South Carolina State Christmas Tree embarks on a journey, starting as a carefully selected 35-foot Norway Spruce from Henderson Tree Farm in North Carolina and traveling 160 miles to Columbia, where it becomes the radiant centerpiece of the Governor's Carolighting Ceremony.
From the Sky is a local public television program presented by SCETV
Support for this program is provided by The ETV Endowment of South Carolina.
From the Sky: The State Christmas Tree
Special | 4m 2sVideo has Closed Captions
The holiday season in South Carolina hosts a blend of tradition, warmth, and festive spirit. Each year, the South Carolina State Christmas Tree embarks on a journey, starting as a carefully selected 35-foot Norway Spruce from Henderson Tree Farm in North Carolina and traveling 160 miles to Columbia, where it becomes the radiant centerpiece of the Governor's Carolighting Ceremony.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipThe Christmas season in South Carolina unfolds as a harmonious blend of tradition, warmth and festive spirit.
However, behind one of these festivities lies a storied journey few know about.
Now it's time to embark on a jolly adventure as we follow South Carolina's state Christmas tree from the sky.
The journey for the state Christmas tree begins in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, nestled in the scenic landscape of Avery County, North Carolina.
Since 1984, Luke Henderson with Henderson Tree Farms has passionately cultivated these evergreen symbols of holiday cheer on over 100 acres of pristine land.
Among the vast expanse of trees, a chosen one stands out a 35 foot Norway spruce that has gracefully matured over decades.
This is when Bruce Vollnogle of Timber Tech in Greenville, South Carolina, becomes an integral part of this annual tradition, Vollnogle has been a steadfast supporter of this festive endeavor for 19 years, generously donating his crew expertise and equipment to ensure the seamless transition of the tree from growing in the field to transportation.
Once carefully cut down by the tree technicians, the tree is loaded onto a flatbed trailer, commencing its 160 mile journey to Columbia, South Carolina.
The destination for the state tree is the North Lawn of the South Carolina State Capitol Building.
The tree is greeted by eager hands of the Columbia Garden Club and the Garden Club of South Carolina, the joint funders of the State Christmas Tree Project.
The collaborative effort begins as the tree is readied for its transformation into the radiant centerpiece of South Carolina holiday festivities.
First, crews from Dominion Energy work to carefully add over 13,000 lights as well as engineer ways to make the tree look full and lush in all directions.
One week later, under the crisp morning sky these dedicated garden club members, fueled by a shared passion for horticulture and holiday spirit, come together on the statehouse grounds to unpack meticulously crafted ornaments that reflect the rich tapestry South Carolina's heritage.
The culmination of this enchanting journey unfolds during the annual overnor's Carolighting Ceremony.
The governor himself delivers a special Christmas message before lighting the tree and officially kicking off the holiday season.
The journey of the South Carolina state Christmas tree encapsulates the magic and tradition of the holiday season.
This annual ritual serves as a symbol of unity and joy best seen from the sky.
From the Sky is a local public television program presented by SCETV
Support for this program is provided by The ETV Endowment of South Carolina.