TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Florida's 2017 state Christmas tree was lit at the capitol Wednesday morning by Governor Rick Scott and his wife Ann.
They were joined in the Governor's Office by members of the Florida cabinet.
The Florida-grown red cedar is one of approximately 16,000 trees harvested and sold by more than 100 Christmas tree farms across the state this year. The fresh Christmas tree industry in Florida adds about $3 million to the state's economy.
Agriculture commissioner Adam Putnam says, all families should support local tree growers at Christmas time.
"This is the season of love, the season of hope, and the season of birth," said Putnam. "We are thrilled to officially kick off the Christmas season with the annual presentation of the tree."
This year's tree was provided by the Bavarian Christmas tree farm of Tallahassee.
The farm also supplied trees to Putnam's office as well as those of Florida's attorney general and chief financial officer.
