The Perfect Tree for the Governor and Our Troops

The search for the perfect Christmas tree can be both delightful and daunting. But imagine that instead of choosing one, you had to find 21 perfect trees.

That was the task before Don Nichols, the executive center landscape manager for the Georgia Building Authority, and the man responsible for the landscape design at the 18-acre, 25,000-square foot Governor’s Mansion in Atlanta.

Nichols is a seasoned veteran, though, having worked under three governors. He also previously owned a floral shop and designed the grounds of the Georgia State Capitol for many years.

“I have five days to decorate and there are more than 40,000 lights,” Nichols said.

One especially gorgeous Georgia morning last week, Nichols and another Building Authority worker arrived in a rather large truck at the Kinsey Family Farm in north Forsyth County to choose some of the trees that would grace Georgia’s “first home.”

With the help of Kinsey brothers, Andy and Kelly, Nichols selected three drought-tolerant trees from the rows and rows of trees available at the Kinsey Farm.

Nichols selected two Naylor’s Blue and one Leyland Cypress that would stand sentry near the mansion guardhouse.

“It’s tall and skinny. Exactly what I need,” said Nichols.

How would you know after the first five?

But Nichols seems to know every nook and cranny of the mansion. There is a tree for the outside balcony. Another for the dining area and a special one for the second floor living quarters that the Perdues decorate privately.

One of the trees chosen was huge, but Nichols said it would still be dwarfed by the 43-foot tall tree planned for the front yard of the governor’s Atlanta home.

This is the second year the Kinsey Family has donated trees to the state. The family, who began in poultry, has owned their tree farm for five years. The 55-acre farm includes 5,000 cypress and cedars. Most of the trees are doing well, but the drought has taken its toll on the seedlings.

But providing free trees to the state isn’t the only giving the family does this time of year.

The Kinseys also partner with FedEx and the Christmas Spirit Foundation to sponsor Trees for Troops.

The Trees for Troops program is designed to supply our military serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard with a free Christmas tree no matter where they are stationed.

The Trees for Troops program began in 2005 and, with the assistance of free delivery by FedEx, has supplied 4,300 real trees to our troops. Last year the number soared to more than 12,000 for troops at 25 bases in 17 countries who received free Christmas trees.

Because of the number of military bases in Georgia, the Kinseys are working to spread the mission of the Trees for Troops campaign to the Atlanta community. The Kinseys plan to donate 20 of their trees to the program.

Individuals or families interested in participating in the Trees for Troops program may purchase a discounted 6-foot to 7-foot Fraser Fir at the farm anytime before Mon., Dec. 10.

The Kinseys will have cards available so that donors can write a personal message to our military families. All cards will be attached to the purchased trees and all of the donated trees will be picked up by Fed Ex on Dec. 10 and distributed to military bases located primarily throughout Georgia.

For additional information please check online at www.christmasspiritfoundation.org or call the Kinsey barn at 770-887-6028.

To reach the farm, located at 7170 Jot Em Down Road, take Ga. 400 north to Exit 17/Gainesville. Turn right and proceed approximately 6 miles to Jot Em Down Road. Turn left and the farm is on the left.