Sask. couple spends 25 years growing Christmas tree for legislature

Ray Gaudethas been told money grows on trees, but working in the Christmas tree business has taught himgrowth takes a while.

Going from aseed to theseven-metre balsamfir that sits proudlyon the SaskatchewanLegislative Building'sbalcony took some time about 25 years, according to Gaudet.

"It takes, like, more than 10 years just to get to [three metres]or so. You need deep pockets, I'll tell you," he said.

Gaudetand his wife Kellyownand operateGaudet Trees Ltd. near Prince Albert and havebeen supplyingthe Legislature with trees for a number of years.

The first time he sent down a balsam pine, but said the 1,000-pound tree was a bit on the unwieldy side.

"Oh my god, they had trouble with that because I had no idea it had to go up the legislative steps," said Gaudet.

He said the tree not only had to go up two flights of stairs, but also down a hallway and through the premier's boardroom before finally making itonto the balcony.

"That was a real task."

The year after, they switched to balsamfir, which he said is lighter and easier to manoeuvre into position.

Gaudet Trees Ltd., which is about 24 km southwest of Prince Albert, is home to over 100,000 trees.