MADISON, Wis. (AP) – It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas if you’re thinking about mailing a tree overseas.  The state is urging people hoping to send a real Wisconsin Christmas tree to people serving overseas to get started soon because of all the paperwork required.  There are a number of other steps to be taken before the tree can be sent, including obtaining copies of a plant health certificate from the grower and completing a so-called phyto certificate required by the state.  The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection will reduce the normal fee from $50 to $6 for trees being mailed to active duty military family members overseas.  The department has a list of more than 400 licensed Christmas tree growers on its website.

—        DATCP tree growers: http://datcp.wi.gov/Plants/Christmas-Trees/index.aspx