ST. PAUL  — Minnesota foresters have cut down the official state Christmas tree in the Nemadji State Forest.

Department of Natural Resources forester Jean Mouelle selected this year’s tree for the governor’s residence in St. Paul. Mouelle says the tree is more than 60 years old and is “an impressive example of a balsam fir.”

Each year, DNR staff choose the governor’s Christmas tree from one of Minnesota’s 59 state forests. The tree is always harvested on the Friday before Thanksgiving. But, the search for the perfect tree begins months beforehand. It will be lit in St. Paul on Nov. 26.

The DNR says a-half million Christmas trees are harvested from private farms in Minnesota each holiday season, contributing about $30 million to the state’s economy.