Cut out of the Carson National Forest, the Capitol Hill Christmas tree is currently en route to Washington D.C.
According to the Capitol Christmas Tree website, the tradition of the Capitol Christmas tree began in 1964. Every year since, the Capitol architect pairs with the United States Forest Service in order to provide Christmas trees for the U.S. Capitol Building’s lawn.
Capitol Christmas trees are selected from a variety of states. This year, a little piece of New Mexico will be represented in the country's capital. New Mexico has been awarded this honor only two times before.
There are typically two types of Christmas trees seen at the Capitol during the holiday season: Spruces and firs. This year, the Carson National Forest has presented a 60-foot tall blue spruce from just north of Questa.
The spruce was cut on Wednesday, Nov. 6, just after sunrise. At the tree cutting event, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham talked to the crowd about the pride she and other New Mexicans share concerning the public lands found in New Mexico, according to the Capitol Christmas Tree website.
On Nov. 11, the spruce’s tour began at 9 a.m. at Alta Vista Elementary and Intermediate School in Questa. As the day went on, the tree — carried in a Kenworth W900 transport trailer — visited Eagle's Nest, Angel Fire and Taos.
After making several stops in both small and large New Mexico communities, the tree made its way to Texas on Nov. 15. Over the next few days, it will find itself making stops in Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. According to the Capitol Christmas Tree website, this route may be subject to change.
The tour will visit 30 communities before arriving in D.C. on Nov. 25. People interested in watching the tree’s travel progress can go to www.capitoltreetracker.com.
Luisa Pennington is the Culture Editor and Co-Opinion Editor at the Daily Lobo. She can be contacted at culture@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @_luisapennington_
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