Yes Virginia, the 2006 Capitol Christmas Tree is coming from Olympic National Forest.
“The Capitol architect will make the final selection. We’re looking for the perfect tree,” said Olympic National Forest spokesman Karl Denison on Tuesday.
Denison confirmed the surprise announcement made at the Jan. 8 Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce meeting by Pacific District Ranger Eduardo Olmedo.
In addition to the 60- to 70-foot tree to be displayed on west front lawn of Capitol Hill, 65 smaller trees will be displayed at other Washington, D.C., buildings, he said.
Olympic National Forest personnel will pre-select a dozen 60- to 70-foot tall, well-shaped trees, Denison said.
During the summer, the Capitol architect will tour the forest to judge those trees and select the best one, he said.
Employees will look for the trees while in the forest performing other duties, Denison said.
But the Forest Service also is enlisting retirees to help look for the trees, he said.
Possible trip to D.C.
If a Forest Service employee’s tree is chosen, that person will be sent to Washington, D.C., for the tree-lighting ceremony, Denison said.
In November, the winning tree will be cut and tour throughout the state before being taken to Washington, D.C.
In December, the Speaker of the House will light the Capitol Christmas Tree during a nationally televised ceremony.
The tree will be displayed on the west front lawn of Capitol Hill facing the Washington Monument.
Ornaments for the Capitol Christmas Tree, as well as the 65 smaller trees, will be made by students throughout the state, Olmedo said.