The U.S. Capitol Christmas tree is on its way to Washington, D.C.
Harvested from the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests in Idaho, the 76-foot-tall spruce will soon arrive in our nation’s capital, where it’ll showcase about 10,000 ornaments. But before its more than 2,000-mile journey is over, the caravan hauling the tree will stop in more than 15 cities.
Emblazoned on the tractor-trailer carrying the tree are logos of partnering organizations for the decades-old tradition. One of those logos: Scouting America.
See the tree
Scouting America has partnered with the Society of American Foresters and the U.S. Forest Service to support the tree tour.
“Scouting is rooted in a love of the outdoors and a commitment to conservation,” says Brian Gray, Scouting America’s director of conservation. “This partnership is a natural fit and gives us an opportunity to celebrate our nation’s forests, recognize the importance of responsible forest stewardship and inspire young people to appreciate and protect the natural world.”
If you and your Scouts want to see the tree on its way to D.C., catch it at one of the tour stops over the next couple of weeks. Visitors can sign their names on the side of the tractor-trailer; if you take photos, share them at pr@scouting.org or onscouting@scouting.org. (We might put them on social media.)
If you live in or around West Virginia, the Mountaineer Area Council will be hosting a free holiday market Nov. 16, when the caravan rolls into Morgantown, West Virginia. In addition to festive fun and music, the event on the West Virginia University campus will feature a Scouting for Food drive as well as a toy collection.
The tree in D.C.
The Capitol Christmas tree tradition began in 1964 when a live Christmas tree was planted on the Capitol lawn. However, the tree lived for only three years. Starting in 1970, “The People’s Tree” has been harvested each year from a different national forest and taken to D.C. The tradition also serves as a campaign to celebrate our country’s national forests.
The official tree-lighting ceremony at the U.S. Capitol will be in late November or early December.
Main image and the Capitol tree from 1978 pictured above courtesy of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative and the Society of American Foresters.
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