Sarah Brown
Deep in the Willamette National Forest but only 30 miles from the heart of Sweet Home, a caravan of vehicles wound its way Friday morning, Nov. 2, along a muddy road that led to the secret location of the chosen “Find Your Trail” Capitol Christmas Tree.
For decades, probably close to half a century, the tree had grown untouched and unnoticed until it was selected in August by a representative of the office of the Architect of the Capitol. Friday a crowd of 50 visitors, along with various dignitaries, gathered to watch and celebrate its raison d’etre.
The 80-foot noble fir tree was cut and removed from the forest, south of House Rock Campground late Friday morning in preparation for its long journey to the capitol.
“When I heard that this tree was the one chosen by the architect of the capitol’s office to be the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree, my heart actually lurched a bit and I asked if there wasn’t another tree that was perhaps a little easier to get to,” said Nikki Swanson, Sweet Home District ranger, during the cutting celebration. “His answer was that this was by far the most beautiful tree and that none of the others were even close.”
Several speakers welcomed visitors and delivered remarks about the momentous occasion, and thanked the many sponsors and volunteers who made the tree cutting possible.
Greg Mahler, Sweet Home’s mayor, thanked the U.S. Forest Service for selecting Sweet Home to supply the nation’s capitol. It’s not just a Christmas tree, but a symbol of what Sweet Home is built on, he said.
“This is truly an honor to have this tree coming from the city,” Mahler said. “Having the Capitol Christmas tree from Sweet Home is really a tribute to our roots.”
The tree will travel toward the capitol in the reverse path of the Oregon Trail, a fitting tribute to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the Oregon Trail, he said.
“As a community, we get to show off our town to the people throughout the nation, to showcase ourselves as a gateway to the Santiam and all the great outdoor opportunities that surround us,” Mahler said.
Jonah Gladney, who works for the U.S. Forest Service in the Detroit Ranger District, was chosen to cut the tree. As he worked a Husqvarna chainsaw through the 26-inch base, the sweet smell of noble fir wafted to the crowd and droplets of rain gently cracked as they made their way to every dry spot in the forest.
“It was great,” Gladney said of the experience. “I got the 30 seconds of glory for all the days and weeks put into the preparation and hard work that’s gone into it.”
Gladney’s wife, Allison, said that in the days leading up to the event, he talked about how he felt really honored to be a part of it, but his part was small compared to all the work put in by a huge team of people.
“It feels like the glorious part, but he really was more impressed by everybody’s teamwork to get this thing going, because it’s quite an operation,” she said.
A crane attached to the top of the tree kept the noble fir lifted off the ground, then a cable was attached to the lower end of the tree to lift it horizontally and guide it onto the trailer.
This tree, the Christmas jewel of the Willamette National Forest, is being wrapped in Sweet Home, with walls built to protect the branches during its 3,000 mile journey across the nation.
It will leave Sweet Home after it is displayed Friday evening, Nov. 9, in a special parade.