ND Gov., First Lady Light Christmas Tree

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — More than 300 handmade wooden ornaments decorate North Dakota's state Christmas tree this year.

Gov. Jack Dalrymple and first lady Betsy Dalrymple turned on lights that illuminate the 25-foot balsam fir during a ceremony Monday night in the Capitol's Memorial Hall.

While the Christmas tree ornaments are from North Dakota, the tree came from Wisconsin. It was purchased for about $700.

Dalrymple spokeswoman Jody Link says it's tough to find a tall North Dakota-grown Christmas tree.

Outside, windows on the north and south side of the Capitol also are lit up with an outline Christmas trees.

Facilities Management spokeswoman Ronda Berg says the Christmas tree window lighting began in the mid-1940s. Each side of the building has 20 red and 24 green shades to create the tree.