Sweet Home Ranger District will host two public events surrounding the cutting of the 2018 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, which will be harvested Nov. 2.
The U.S. Forest Service opened the door, briefly, on Monday afternoon, Oct. 22, to 50 people who were the first to register for the tree-cutting event, which will take place at an undisclosed location.
Attendees will meet at River Bend County Park and will be shuttled to the site, approximately an hour away. The cutting of the 80-foot-tall Noble fir will take place between 11:15 a.m. and noon on Nov. 2.
The tree will be cut with a saw donated by Husqvarna, and moved with a tree-lifting crane and supporting equipment provided by Papé and Axis Crane. The tree was selected by a representative of the Architect of the Capitol in August.
Upon the viewers’ return to the park, a second celebratory event will be held at River Bend County Park mid-afternoon, beginning at 1:30 p.m. A video of the tree cutting will be broadcast on a giant screen and light refreshments will be provided. The second event is open to the public and registration is not required. There is no limit to the number of people who may attend. In attendance will be the “tree team” comprised of Forest Service officials, partners, and sponsors.
For full event details, participant requirements and online registration, visit capitolchristmastree2018.eventbrite.com.
“We are thrilled to be able to share this exciting part of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree’s journey with our fellow Oregonians,” said Nikki Swanson, U.S. Forest Service Sweet Home District Ranger. “The people of Oregon have been instrumental to the success of this project. From the kindness of our cooperators to everyone who helped make ornaments and tree skirts, Oregonians have come together to send this beautiful Noble fir and over 10,000 ornaments as a gift from the state of Oregon to the U.S. Capitol and all Americans.”
After the tree is cut, it will come to Sweet Home, where it will be prepared for the long journey east on a Kenworth W990 truck. The next step in the tree’s journey will begin on Friday, Nov. 9, when it departs from Sweet Home and begins its 3,000-mile road trip through Oregon and across the country to Washington, D.C. The theme for the 2018 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is “Find Your Trail!” in recognition of two 2018 anniversaries: the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System Act and the 175th commemoration of the
Oregon Trail.
Accordingly, the tree will depart Oregon following the reverse path along the Oregon Trail with stops in Albany, Springfield,
McKenzie Bridge, Oakridge, Bend, Detroit, Salem, Oregon City, The Dalles, and Baker City. A series of festive events will be hosted by communities along the way and attendees can sign banners on the sides of the truck, learn more about the Forest Service, purchase U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree merchandise and more.
A complete schedule and list of special events is available at www.capitolchristmastree.com.