Daniel Zuckerman is reporting in the Register-Star a 45-foot Colorado blue spruce from the Claverack home of Mike and Vinessa Bowman has been chosen as the official Empire State Plaza Christmas tree this year. Bowman, the director of the Taconic Hills School District Fitness Center, said Department of General Services officials liked the tree, made two visits to affirm their decision and he was notified on Monday that his tree had been selected. "It’s pretty exciting really," Bowman said. The tree will be cut down on November 14, and transported to Albany. Bowman said as the tree aged there was a chance part of it could splinter and topple in a storm. "It’s like a free tree removal. It’s lived its time and it’s a perfect destination for it to end up at the Empire State Plaza," he said. The tree-lighting ceremony will take place on December 4, and the Bowmans' blue spruce will remain on display in the plaza through New Year's Day. Read the full story in the Register-Star.