Oops!

At least I haven't done this, as reported by the Associated Press:

Dead State Tree

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island's official Christmas tree is dead. Statehouse workers unwittingly killed the 18-foot Colorado blue spruce by drying it with commercial fans and spraying it with a fire-retardant chemical.

The workers were following a stringent new fire code that was enacted after a nightclub blaze in West Warwick killed 100 people two years ago. But it turned out that the requirement to douse Christmas trees in public buildings with fire retardant was lifted earlier this month.

Growers are rushing to get a replacement tree for the statehouse. And a spokesman for overnor Donald Carcieri promises "This one will not be sprayed."

The governor is suggesting the state might get an artificial replacement next year.

--Nimitz' Lady