Work is wrapping up on efforts to deliver the Capitol Christmas Tree to Washington, D.C. for its official lighting in about a month from now.
Central Oregon Truck Company is transporting the tree.
These Facebook posts from the U.S. Forest Service show the tree being delivered from the Willamette National Forest, where it was cut, to facilities where it was made ready for its cross-country trip.
Several Willamette National Forest employees constructed a box around the tree. One end of the box has Plexiglas windows to allow people to see the tree. A 250 gallon, heated bladder bag was fitted to the tree stump to keep the tree hydrated during the trip.
Its first stop is the high school in Sweet Home, Oregon Friday.
The tree will make stops in communities along the route to the nation’s capital and arrive at the U.S. Capitol Nov. 26. The tree will be lit by the Speaker of the House Paul Ryan Dec. 5, during a ceremony on the West Front Lawn at 5 p.m. The tree will be lit from nightfall until 11 p.m. each evening through Jan. 1.
For the sixth year, the Truckload Carriers Association will be playing a key role in the delivery of the tree.
