The nation’s Capitol Christmas tree makes the 4,000-mile journey to DC

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – It took 40 days and 4,000 miles, but an Alaskan spruce tree – which originated in the Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska – is finally in Washington DC

The tree rolled into the nation’s capital on Friday, where crews used a giant crane to lift it into place on the west lawn of the Capitol building.

The 80-foot-tall spruce received glowing praise from the Capitol grounds director, who called it a “perfect tree.”

Since 1970, the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree, known as the “people’s tree,” has been selected from another national forest. This is the second time Alaska has received this honor, with a tree from the Chugach National Forest also being selected in 2015.

As part of its journey across the country, the tree stopped in about a dozen cities, where people had the opportunity to view it through Plexiglas windows in a specially built trailer. They were also able to view more than 100 ornaments handmade by Alaskans and sign a giant banner that adorned the side of the truck with congratulations.

The tree will brighten the holidays with an official lighting ceremony on Tuesday. Rose Burke, a fourth-grader from Kenai who won a statewide essay contest, will be there with her family to flip the switch to turn on the lights.

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