A tall and stately evergreen from the Whip City will take a place of honor this holiday season on the front lawn of the Massachusetts State House as the Commonwealth's official holiday tree.

The tree, donated by the Bishop family of 512 Granville Road, Westfield, was selected by state officials from a number of offered trees.

"Mr. Bishop first contacted me a year or two ago to offer a tree from his land to be the state's official holiday tree," said Representative Don Humason.

"I contacted Tammy Kraus, Director of State House Operations at the Bureau of State Office Buildings in Boston, and a classmate of mine from Westfield State College.  Tammy spoke with the Bishop family at the time and told them that a tree had already been selected but their offer would be considered in the future.  This year I called her again to put a word in for the Westfield tree.  She contacted the Bishops, came out to take a look, and their tree was selected!"

A crew from the Massachusetts Highway Department will be on hand this Friday morning to cut the tree and prepare it for the trip to Beacon Hill.  The actual cutting is scheduled for around 8:30 AM.  Representative Humason will provide coffee and refreshments.

The tree will be erected on the front lawn of the Massachusetts state capitol to await the official tree lighting ceremony later this month.

"What an honor for Westfield to have the state's holiday tree come form our city," said State Senator Mike Knapik.  "Our thanks to the Bishop family for their generous donation."

"I know their tree will look beautiful in front of the State House all lit up in lights," Humason said.  "It's nice to know that a piece of Westfield will help make everybody's Christmas holiday a little brighter."