ALASKA—The 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree hails from the Alaska Region of the Forest Service. An annual symbol of hope and celebration, the tree offers an opportunity to showcase Alaska's majestic landscape, unique culture, rich traditions, diverse ecosystems and abundant resources. The tree symbolizes Alaskans’ connection to the lands they call home.

Previously, the only other U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree to come from Alaska was sent from the Chugach National Forest in 2015. This year, the tree will come from the Tongass National Forest—America's largest national forest.

“On behalf of the hundreds of Forest Service employees who call Alaska Home, please know that as Team Alaska, we are overjoyed to be able to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, and to spread joy and cheer across the country,” said Alaska Regional Forester Chad VanOrmer.

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, known as the "People's Tree," adorns the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol and has been selected each year since 1970 from a different national forest.  

As part of the festivities, the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree goes on a whistlestop tour and will stop at 11 locations on its way to Washington, D.C. The first of the tour’s two kick-off stops took place on Oct. 26 in Wrangell, Alaska. The second one will take place in Alaska’s “First City,” Ketchikan, on Oct. 30. This is also the first year the public was able to vote on the tree’s name via social media. The winner? Spruce Wayne.

The tree’s 4,000-mile journey from Wrangell, Alaska, to the U.S. Capitol building will take over three weeks. Spruce Wayne will travel to the lower 48 by sea and then by truck from the Pacific coast of the United States to the eastern seaboard.

At each stop along the way, people will have the opportunity to sign the side of the uniquely Alaskan trailer with markers, purchase U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree souvenirs from Alaska Geographic, get free stickers and learn about Alaska’s national forests and the 54-year tradition of the USDA Forest Service providing the “Peoples Tree.”

Tour dates and locations are subject to change. For more information on the Whistlestop Tour events, visit the Capitol Christmas Tree online calendar.

The journey of the Capitol Christmas tree not only connects people to the holiday celebrations, it serves as an opportunity to educate the public about the multi-use mission of the Forest Service.

Once the tree arrives in Washington, D.C., Nov. 22, the annual tree-lighting will be held in early December. There will be several local events, including a reception on the Whitten Patio of USDA headquarters and the tree-lighting ceremony for USDA and Forest Service employees.

More information on how to follow the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree’s journey online, including available social media channels, can be found at www.uscapitolchristmastree.com.