Patrons of Louisiana State University’s campus may notice something different about the University’s holiday tree this year. It’s not a yuletide fir tree. 
And forget the tree stands.  It has been permanently planted. 
Through donors at the LSU Foundation, the University was able to purchase a live regional tree to plant on campus, said Campus Life Associate Director for Marketing and Communications Margo Jolet.
The university in previous years purchased a large, traditional Pacific Northwest fir or pine tree, had it cut, prepared and shipped.  The new permanent resident on the LSU campus is classified as a magnolia little gem. 
“We wanted to make sure it was a more sustainable holiday,” said Campus Life Associate Director for Special Events Michelle Lowery. “[Now] we don’t have to spend on a tree every year.” 
LSU’s Holiday Spectacular has been a traditional University ceremony since 1994, Lowery said, and has grown since.
While past celebrations featured presentations such as a reading of “The Cajun Night Before Christmas” by Trosclair and illustrated by James Rice, Lowery described this year’s ceremony as more of a performance “variety show.”
Ceremony attendees heard performances from groups such as the LSU Gospel Choir, Theatre Baton Rouge and other local performing artists inside the Union Theater.
The new tree was lit after brief holiday wishes from LSU president and chancellor F. King Alexander and an introduction from Homecoming King Bradley Williams and Homecoming Queen Chi Nguyen.