The Capitol Christmas Tree Journey [Photos]
Payette National Forest workers Jared Schuster (left) and Chris Niccoli use a traditional crosscut saw to cut down the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, as a way of honoring the traditional logging skills and tools used in this region. Photo: James Edward Mills / Choose Outdoors
A crane loads the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree onto Gary Amoth Trucking's specially-decaled Kenworth T680. This 80-foot Englemann Spruce was chosen for its perfectly cylindrical shape and full branches all the way around. Photo: James Edward Mills / Choose Outdoors
The truck first traveled north into the Panhandle, then turned south to Twin Falls and Idaho Falls before leaving the state. Photo: James Edward Mills / Choose Outdoors
Photo: James Edward Mills / Choose Outdoors
The tree is being set up on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol Grounds.
The 2016 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour comes to an end with the delivery of the 80-foot Englemann Spruce to the U.S. Capitol on Monday, Nov. 28.
U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, (R-Wis.), poses with Isabella Gerard, a fifth-grade student from Boise, Idaho, following the Dec. 6 lighting of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.
Payette National Forest workers trim branches from the base of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in preparation for its short trip to a staging area 5 miles away. Photo: James Edward Mills / Choose Outdoors
The Kenworth T680 makes its way to a staging location 5 miles from the harvest site at the Little Ski Hill, just west of McCall, Idaho. Photo: James Edward Mills / Choose Outdoors
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour makes a stop at the state capitol in Boise on its way from the Payette National Forest. Photo: James Edward Mills / Choose Outdoors
Gary Amoth Trucking's Kenworth T680 arrives early Monday morning (Nov. 28). Photo: James Edward Mills / Choose Outdoors
Workers set up the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol Grounds following the tree's safe arrival. Photo: James Edward Mills / Choose Outdoors
Isabella Gerard poses with her parents, Josh and Annalyn Gerard following the lighting of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. Isabella flipped the switch lighting the tree after U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, (R-Wis.), led the crowd gathered for the lighting ceremony in a countdown.
The 2016 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, an 80-foot Englemann spruce adorned with thousands of LED lights and about 4,000 ornaments hand-made by Idaho children, lights up the West Lawn of the Capitol.