NEWSBEAT REPORTER

The tree branches for this year’s campus Christmas tree will still be green, but for a different reason.

This year’s Christmas tree was purchased locally from windy hills tree farm in Ethel, La.

The tree is almost half the size of past trees at 26 feet high and was about $600.

Past trees have been purchased from Washington state and have cost between $6,000 to $8,000.

The University plans to recycle the tree and use it for mulch to protect LSU’s oak trees.

The money that was not used will go to help fund other campus events such as homecoming.

“We have a new sustainability committee that’s really reviewing how LSU does business and what we can do to be more sustainable both fiscally responsible and environmentally friendly,” said Nancy Little, LSU marketing coordinator.

LSU plans to permanently plant the tree for next year rather than purchase one.