Capitol Christmas Tree Soon To Be Cut

There's one Christmas tree that you won't be able to cut down this year, even if you have a permit to go and find your own perfect Christmas tree. That's because that one perfect tree, an 85-ft blue spruce tree from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in the White Mountains, will be going to Washington D.C. this year. It will be the first time ever that Arizona will provide the Capitol Christmas Tree for the west front lawn of the U.S. Capitol.

The Capitol Christmas Tree is Congress' official Christmas tree. The tree will be cut on Saturday, November 7, 2009 and will tour the state of Arizona for 10 days. After the Arizona tour, the Capitol Christmas Tree will tour across the country on its way to U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., where it will be lowered into 5-foot deep hole, strung with lights, and decorated with thousands of handcrafted ornaments made by Arizonans. In December, the Speaker of the House and one Arizona student will light the tree and showcase Arizona's historical, cultural and natural beauty. The tree will be lit at dusk throughout the holiday season.

For more information about the Christmas tree tours and other special events as well as background and history about the National Christmas Tree visit capitolchristmastree2009.org.