MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Christmas is 76 days away – but if you want to send a real Wisconsin tree to somebody overseas, state officials say to start working on it now.

The Agriculture Department says a number of steps are required before a Christmas tree can be sent – including a document from the grower which certifies that the plant is in good health.

It normally costs $50 to send a Christmas tree to somebody overseas. But the fee is only $6 for trees sent to active duty troops and their families abroad.

More information is available at the Agriculture Department’s Web site, accessible at Wisconsin.Gov.

The Badger State is among the nation’s largest Christmas tree growers. The ag department has a list of over 400 growers on its Web site.