ELKINS, W.Va. — The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest will be delivered to the U.S. Capitol on Friday. However, the Monongahela National Forest Staff has been busy this week providing a second tree to Washington.
According to the Forest Service, for the first time ever the National Park Service has collaborated with the agency to provide the National Christmas Tree to be placed on the Ellipse of the White House. That tree this year will also come from West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest.
“The NPS collaborated with the USDA Forest Service to find a tree. The tree, a cut 40-foot Norway spruce, comes from U.S. Forest Service – Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. This is the first time the NPS and U.S. Forest Service have partnered to bring a tree to the Ellipse. ” read a press release from the National Park Service.
The White House Tree was harvested this week with far less fanfare than the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree which was cut earlier this month from the Laurel Fork Campground in Randolph County. Foresters harvested the White House Tree from an area near Parsons in Tucker County.
The tree is to replace a tree on the Ellipse which was planted in 2021, but developed needle cast, a fungal disease that causes needles to turn brown and fall off. Prior to 1973 the NPS used cut trees for the National Christmas Tree. The agency will evaluate whether to return to that practice or whether to plant another permanent tree after the holidays.
The National Christmas Tree Lighting will take place Nov. 30 on the Ellipse at The White House and President’s Park, just south of the White House. The event features a countdown to the official lighting of the National Christmas Tree and live musical performances by local and national performers.”
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree lighting is scheduled take place Nov. 28 at 5 p.m.