Just Askin': Fountain Square Christmas trees are grown close to home. Whereabouts?

The Enquirer's Just Askin' series aims to answer the questions that no one seems to have an answer for, not even Google.

Every Cincinnatian has a story about the Fountain Square Christmas tree.

Maybe it's the first place you had your picture taken with Santa Claus as a youngster. A sweaty-palmed first date to the annual tree unveiling. A Macy's shopping trip and downtown stroll while visiting family over the holidays.

The more than century-old tradition is about more than just festive trees. Fountain Square at Christmastime holds a special place in our hearts. And there's never in recent history been one more memorable than in 2020, when a scrappy, "Charlie Brown"-esque spruce was hoisted above Fifth and Vine streets. (A Christmas miracle occurred, though, and it ended up getting a makeover.)

The three trees since implemented have garnered far less criticism, but it's become clear that us in the Queen City are picky about our evergreens. Where did they come from?

Podcast: Why picking the Fountain Square Christmas tree is a 'year-round' job

Where does the Fountain Square Christmas tree come from?

Most trees are handpicked from northern Ohio, according to Cincinnati City Center Development Corp. (3CDC), which manages and programs Fountain Square on behalf of the city.

This year's Fountain Square Christmas tree is a 55-foot concolor fir, also known as a white fir, from Mansfield. In 2022, it was another concolor fir, this one 45 feet tall and grown in Medina. And the 2020 Norway spruce was 65 feet tall, a Norway spruce, from Wadsworth.

Do you have a question for Just Askin'? Send it to us at cinlocalnews@enquirer.com.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Where in Ohio do Fountain Square Christmas trees come from?