A 40-foot red cedar from Conyers' own Georgia International Horse Park will serve as the Christmas tree at the Georgia Governor's Mansion lawn this winter.

Representatives from the Georgia Building Authority approached the park about cutting the tree down in early November. The tree was cut down the morning of Nov. 25 and transported to the mansion where it will be decorated for the "Christmas at the Mansion" lighting ceremony on Dec. 8. Between 40,000 and 50,000 lights will adorn the tree and following its use during the holiday season.

"We are thrilled that a tree from the Georgia International Horse Park was chosen for the governor's Christmas tree," said Georgia International Horse Park Director Jennifer Bexley. "Of all the trees in northeast Georgia that could have been selected, it's an honor that this tree came from Conyers and our world-class facility."

The tree will be taken down the week after Christmas and recycled by The Home Depot. In a gesture of goodwill for use of the tree, the Georgia Building Authority will grind the stump of the cedar and plant three trees in its place.