Wilson family delivers Christmas trees to Capitol, Gov. Mansion

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Capitol Christmas Tree Delivery is a tradition in its 19th year.
                

First Lady Cecilia Abbott and Sherry Workman, Representative Paul Workman's wife rode in horse-drawn carriages with Christmas trees in tow.
                
Jim and Marianna Wilson were along for the ride.  They planted those trees.

"This is something special because first of all they're Texas-grown trees and I love to connect in that respect," Marianna said.  

The tree-delivery honor goes to the president of the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association.  This year it's Marianna.  The Wilsons have a place called Mainstay Farm near Fort Worth.

"Those trees that we're providing are 'Blue Ice' and those Blue Ice are from 15 foot tall for the Governor's Mansion  to shorter trees for different buildings here around the Capitol, the Senate and House and stuff like that," Jim said.

It’s the Wilson's first time delivering trees to the Capitol in nearly two decades.  A tradition they helped start back in the late '90s.

"We made contact with then-Andy Ball who was the Executive Director for Laura Bush and she had put together this idea which was to deliver Christmas trees to the Capitol and so we arranged the first horse-drawn carriage delivery of Christmas trees here," Jim said.   

Capitol representatives said the trees will be used as angel trees.  They'll feature ornaments representing children in need.

"It takes about 6 to 7 years to get a tree to that full height and there's a lot of work involved in it.  So there's a great sense of awe to be able to share it with the State of Texas," Marianna said.