Turck’s Trees Delivers 17-Foot Capitol Christmas Tree for 2025

A 17-foot balsam fir from Turck’s Trees in Litchfield, Minnesota, has been selected as the Capitol Christmas tree for 2025. The tree was delivered to the State Capitol earlier this week and is scheduled to be decorated on Monday. This honor follows Turck’s Trees winning the grand champion title at the Minnesota State Fair earlier this year.

The tree arrived in St. Paul on Tuesday and was set up in the Capitol’s rotunda by staff members. It will be available for public viewing well beyond Christmas. According to the Turck’s Trees website, the balsam fir is native to much of eastern and central Canada, as well as the northeastern United States. This species is appreciated for its rich green needles, natural conical shape, and excellent needle retention after being cut. Notably, it is regarded as the most fragrant of all Christmas tree varieties.

Family Legacy and Tree Farm Details

Turck’s Trees has been a family-owned business since 1875. The Turck family began planting Christmas trees in 1981 and has been selling them for over 35 years. The farm encompasses approximately 100 acres dedicated to Christmas and landscape trees. Joan and Steve Turck currently own the farm, with multiple generations of the family actively participating in the operation.

In 2024, Turck’s Trees achieved reserve grand champion status at the Minnesota State Fair and also provided trees for the Governor’s Residence in St. Paul. This year, the farm was chosen for the Capitol tree from over 120 competing entries submitted by members of the Minnesota Christmas Tree Association.

The selection of Turck’s Trees for this prestigious role marks a significant milestone for the farm, highlighting not only its quality but also the enduring tradition of Christmas tree farming in Minnesota.