November 19, 2007
From WCAX.com
The first snowfall of the season set the perfect mood, Friday, as dozens of people braved the cold to witness the harvesting of the Capitol Christmas Tree. It was three years ago when a National Forest Service official walked into the Green Mountain Forest, near Somerset, and selected a 55 foot Balsam Fir to stand on the front lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Each year, a tree is chosen from a national forest. The Green Mountain National Forest was chosen as the site to harvest the tree because this year is the forest's 75th anniversary. The tree was chosen from a group of five finalists mainly because of its thick branches.
"It's just got a really beautiful form on all sides because the Capitol tree is seen from all sides," says GMNF Supervisor, Meg Mitchell.
This is not the first time the Capitol Tree has come from Vermont, in fact, it's the fifth. Trees from the Green Mountain State were selected as the Capitol Tree in 1967, 1980, 1984, an 1994.
"It's time once again to show America what Vermont is all about. To show them the natural beauty that we cherish. To show them why Vermont is such a wonderful place to live and work," said Governor Jim Douglas, R-Vermont.
The tree received a traditional native blessing before being cut. Special Olympic Athletes took turns cutting into the tree with an old-fashioned logging saw, before the pros took over with a chainsaw. Crews held the tree steady with ropes at the top and bottom. Rather than letting the tree crash to the ground, which could have broken branches, they gently lowered it using a crane.
Many families attended the ceremony, and cheered when the evergreen was finally lifted from its base.
"We figured it's a one-in-a-lifetime thing, maybe, for us, so we figured we'd come over and check it out," said Joseph Nolan, who brought his son, Lane, to the ceremony. Lane said the tree was the biggest one he's ever seen.
Once the tree was on the ground it was wrapped in green burlap. The tree was then loaded on to a flatbed truck, which is now on its way to D.C. A watering device created especially for the Capitol Tree will keep it watered during the journey. The truck will make several stops at veterans hospitals along the way before finally arriving in Washington, D.C. on the 26th.
For the first time ever the tree will be decorated with LED lights. They use less energy than traditional bulbs. It will also be adorned with ornaments made by people in all 50 states. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-U.S. House Speaker, will light the tree on December 5th.
