The 2011 Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting

Location: West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol
Description: The 2011 Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting The tree will be lit by Speaker of the House John Boehner. Called “The People’s Tree”, the U. S. Capitol Christmas Tree from California will actually be presented to Congress as a gift from the Golden State.

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The 2011 Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting

History of the Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting

A Capitol Christmas Tree has been an American tradition since 1964. The first tree was a live 24-foot Douglas fir planted on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The original Capitol Christmas Tree died after the 1968 tree lighting ceremony due to a severe wind storm and root damage. The tree was removed and the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service has provided the trees since 1969. The 2011 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will be harvested from the Stanislaus National Forest (located in the Central Sierra Nevada Mountains in California).

Early in December each year, the Speaker of the House hosts a lighting ceremony on the lawn of the United States Capitol Building and with a simple flip of a switch, powers the 10,000 LED lights that illuminate the tree. Hundreds of people who are fortunate enough to be in D.C. attend the lighting ceremony and many thousands more will find their way to the Capitol to take in the sight.

Since 1970, it has become an honor for one of the National Forests to be asked to provide the Capitol Tree. The appointed National Forest, in turn, engages help from diverse partners throughout its respective State. The opportunity to provide the Capitol Christmas Tree becomes a state-wide celebration and civic event, leaving a lasting impression on all who are fortunate enough to be involved.

2011 will be only the fourth year California has contributed the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, the last time was in 1995. Known as “The People’s Tree”, the 2011 Capitol Christmas Tree will be harvested from the Stanislaus National Forest located in the Central Sierra Nevada Mountains of California.

The Forest Service recommends 8 to 10 trees to the superintendent of thecapitol grounds, who makes the final selection of which tree will be the official U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. Several aspects are taken into account during the selection, including the shape and fullness of the tree, the tree color and foliage condition, and species characteristics of needle retention and branch pliability. Of course, access to the tree for ease of cutting, loading, and transporting are also considered.

It is estimated that the tree selected will be approximately 60 feet tall. Imagine a 6-story tall building—that is about how tall the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will be.

An additional 100 companion trees will be delivered to the Washington D.C. area and placed in federal offices, congressional and senate offices, the National American Indian Museum, and the United States Supreme Court.

Constitution and Independence Aves.
(closest Metro: Capitol South)

RSVP @ http://www.capitolchristmastree2011.org/

Start Time: 17:00

Date: 2011-12-06

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