Capitol Christmas Tree stops in Iowa on journey to D.C.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The 80-foot spruce felled in Alaska was in Iowa Friday, as it makes it way across Lower 48.

The truck, holding the tree and driven by two Alaskan trucking veterans, is making stops across the country in its eastbound voyage to Washington, D.C.

Choosing and erecting a capitol tree is a 54-year-old tradition, supported by the U.S. Forest Service in the name of making Americans aware of the country’s forests. In the interest of teaching people in the country about the tree’s harvest, transport, and place of origin (this year, Alaska), the tree’s journey is punctuated with whistle stops.

So far, stops in Washington, Oregon, Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Nebraska and Iowa brought out locals in droves to view the enormous testament to Alaska forest lands.

During the most recent stop in Altoona, Iowa residents agreed the feat of transporting the tree resonated with them.

“I think it’s very cool that we’re bringing a tree all the way from Alaska to Washington, D.C.” said Emily Gilbert of Altoona. Gilbert said she’d never visited Alaska, but hoped to see the tree’s home one day.

Others reminisced on the people they knew from the tree’s homeland. One woman said a pastor she knows lived in Willow for 17 years, and he came to mind when she realized she’d have the chance to see the tree pass through.

“I want to send these pictures to him, since the tree is from Alaska,” the woman said, as other locals flocked behind her to take selfies with the tree.

The capitol tree is expected to arrive in Washington D.C. Nov. 22.

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