Every year, federal officials remove a towering evergreen among acres American forests to bring the holidays at the capitol.
Why it matters: The decades-old tradition is both a logistical feat and rich in history and symbolism.
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Where is this year's tree from?
This year's tree, a 63-foot Norway Spruce, comes from West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest — "one of the most ecologically diverse areas" in the country, according to the US Forest Service.
- Two master sawyers from the state they cut down the tree on November 1st and is now on its way to Washington, DC, stopping in communities along the route.
- This year's tree "is estimated to be about 38 years old and has a very traditional Christmas tree shape," Scott Owen, a spokesman for the US Forest Service, told Axios.
- THE tribe Shawnee has named this year's tree is “wa'feem'tekwi”, which means “bright tree” in the Shawnee language.
When did the delivery start?
The practice of choosing a Christmas tree for the Capitol and the tree lighting ceremony was officially established in 1964, according to Architect of the Capitol (AOC).
- The tradition began when then-Speaker of the House John W. McCormack placed a live Christmas tree on the Capitol lawn, Owen said.
- The Forest Service has been providing the trees since 1970.
Choosing the perfect tree
Each year, a different national forest is chosen to provide the tree.
- The ideal tree is between 60 and 80 feet tall and has good color and density.
- During the summer, Forest Service personnel suggests about a dozen candidate trees, whose measurements, photos and map locations are then sent to AOC officials, who then visit the trees to examine them and select a winner.
How the tree gets to Washington
The tree transported by truck to Washington, DC, with stops along the way for public viewings.
- The Forestry Service is responsible for the delivery of the tree and notes that "a small army of people is needed to travel with it, to guard, water and coordinate all the stops the tree will make during its journey."
Worth noting: When the tree arrived from Alaska's Chugach National Forest in 2015, it marked the first and only time the tree traveled by boat.
How is the tree decorated?
The ornaments of the tree are made by hundreds of children from his homeland, according to the Forest protection service.
- This year, school groups and other West Virginians are contributing 14,000 ornaments to decorate the tree, reported local news.
- Members of the Shawnee tribe have also created ornaments for this year's tree, an AOC spokesperson told Axios.
- About 4,000-5,000 LED lights are used to illuminate the tree, which takes about a week to be fully decorated, the spokesperson added.
- West Virginians also provide handmade tree skirts, according to Press release from the governor's office.
What else is special about this year's tree?
She is the third time the Capitol Christmas tree has come from West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest, but the last time that happened was 1976 — almost 50 years ago.
- The Monongahela National Forest was also the first national forest who was chosen to grace the Capitol Christmas tree in 1970.
When can you see the tree in DC?
The Capitol Christmas tree is expected to arrive on the West Lawn of the US Capitol building on November 17.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will light the tree in a ceremony on Nov. 28 and it will remain on the Capitol complex until Jan. 1, 2024, the AOC spokesman said.
*Cover photo: Map: Sara Wise/Axios; Illustration by Maura Losch/Axios
Her Ivana Saric
Source: axios
