U.S. Capitol Christmas tree to come from Minnesota

This year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas tree is coming from the Chippewa National Forest in northern Minnesota, and officials are prepping the fanfare for its long journey eastward.

The approximately 80-foot white spruce will be ceremoniously cut down Oct. 29 and gingerly wrapped and placed on a 100-foot trailer. Planned stops in Minnesota include Itasca State Park, Bemidji, Walker, Cass Lake, Blackduck, Marcell, Deer River, Cohasset, Grand Rapids, Duluth, West St. Paul, Eden Prairie, Rochester, Red Wing, Owatonna and Fort Snelling.

Organizers will also send 10,000 ornaments that schoolchildren and other Minnesotans created and 70 companion trees to decorate other sites in Washington. Branches from another white spruce will be delivered to fill in any gaps in the Capitol tree’s fullness.

“It’ll be really fun to be able to see the tree on the lawn and know that it’s coming from the North Star state,” said Ann Long Voelkner, public services team leader for the Chippewa National Forest.