The holiday season has arrived in Washington, D.C., with the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. The 80-foot Sitka spruce traveled over 4,000 miles from Alaska's Tongass National Forest to the Capitol's West Front Lawn. According to FOX 5 DC, the tree's journey included a 700-mile sea voyage and several stops across the country.
Named "Spruce Wayne" by popular vote on social media, the tree's trek cut through the heart of America, marking a festive route from the North to the cradle of liberty. Commemorating 60 years of tradition, the tree stands as one of the tallest in history, as reported by WUSA 9, though it was not without its trials; a backup tree had to be selected after the initial choice sustained damage in a storm.
John Schank and Fred Austin, both hailing from Alaska, with Austin from the aptly named North Pole, were charged with the delivery of the tree. DC News Now highlights that this year's conveyance marks Schank's second participation in this national festivity.
The ceremonial lighting is scheduled for December 3 at 5 p.m., an event which will see the tree adorned in 5,000 handcrafted ornaments sourced from Alaskan communities and illuminated by 5,000 LED lights. As Joseph Boggs of the National Forest Service recounted to WUSA 9, the tree's preparation and delivery involved multiple barges and a cross-country drive. "It was on a remote island, so they had to identify the tree, harvest the tree, get it on a barge to another island — and then from that island it got on a commercial transporter to another community," said Boggs. Following the lighting, the tree will be lit each evening from dusk until 11 p.m. through the New Year.
