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Whispering Pines Tree Farm's Dave Vander Velden and Chris Duffy pose with the Grand Champion Ribbon.

In this undated photo, Dave Vander Velden of Whispering Pines Tree Farm and Chris Duffy pose with with Vander Velden's grand champion balsam fir at the annual Wisconsin Christmas tree contest held in Harrisville.

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Whispering Pines Christmas tree wins award

Balsam fir named Wisconsin grand champion

Updated: Wednesday, 05 Sep 2012, 8:35 AM CDT
Published : Wednesday, 05 Sep 2012, 8:35 AM CDT

OCONTO - A local Christmas tree farm has received quite an honor.

Whispering Pines Tree Farm in Oconto has an award-winning tree.

The Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association selected a balsam fir as the Grand Champion Wisconsin Christmas tree.

Members of the association could enter one tree in any or all of the contest's five classes: balsam fir, Fraser fir, any spruce, pine or other fir. Whispering Pines also won first place in spruce and third in Fraser fir.

Farm owner Dave Vander Velden will later present a tree to Gov. Scott Walker in December.

Whispering Pines is now also eligible to enter the National Christmas Tree Association's contest. The winner of the national contest has the honor of presenting a tree to the First Lady at the White House.