Capitol Christmas tree is harvested and readied for trip to Washington, D.C

WEIPPE (Lewiston Tribune) — Two hours from Lewiston, deep into the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, a 76-foot tall Engelmann Spruce tree was harvested to be used as the 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas tree.

The tree’s ultimate destination is Washington, D.C., where it will be decorated with roughly 10,000 ornaments for all to see on the Christmas holiday.

The tree-cutting ceremony near Musselshell Meadows opened at 9:30 a.m. with remarks by Deputy Forest Supervisor Heath Perrine and a welcome blessing led by Nez Perce Tribe Chaplain Shannon Wheeler.

Wheeler first gave blessings in his native language, followed by English.

“I want to thank the creator for this, blessing us today in this sacred place, Sew’issnime,” he said. “And bringing us together for this ceremony as we see this tree and its symbolism of a time of a birth by giving itself to us. We must always remember the ones that were here before us.”

U.S. Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho spoke on the beauty and community of the state and how much of an honor it was to be chosen for the Congressional tree.

“I love the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest. I’m always amazed by the diversity of the forest,” Risch said. “I want to thank the state of Idaho. Particularly, I want to thank the Nez Perce Tribe.”

He concluded his remarks by promising his dedication to government service and gratitude to the community.

“Thank you for all of you who made this event possible today,” Risch said. “God bless you all and God bless the great state of Idaho.”

After speeches by eight people, the last event before the cutting of the Christmas tree was a Nez Perce Tribe blessing and drum circle.

The drum circle was led by Nez Perce Cultural Resources Director Nakia Williamson Cloud.

Tribe members wore traditional regalia and sang to honor the life and death of a tree harvested from a section of forest the tribe considers sacred.

After that, safety protocols were set up in order to harvest the tree.

A giant spruce tree, known scientifically as Picea engelmannii, is not cut as easily as chopping firewood.

First, at 11:30 a.m., the crane to lift the tree and trailer to haul it were moved into position. Then, Forest Service employees belayed onto the tree and secured it with rigging, using ropes to strategically secure it.

At noon, the crane slowly lifted the tree upward. It was then moved laterally toward the trailer, afterward rotating 180 degrees so the tree was parallel to the ground, before being lowered onto the trailer.

Lenore Tree Improvement Area Manager Gregory Dronen, who served as the tree and trailer lead for the event, said securing the tree to the trailer is one of the most difficult parts.

“Because we’ve gotta feed limbs kind of through the cradles that are into the trailer it sits on,” Dronen said. “It can be dangerous and we have all our folks in our safety gear and it’s just slow-moving.”

After the tree was secured to the trailer, Forest Service employees trimmed the dead branches off the tree.

Over a dozen employees were involved in coordinating the harvesting.

Dronen said an orange bladder will be secured to the tree to keep it fed and healthy for Christmas day. Before then, the tree will tour the country, stopping both within the state of Idaho and other states.

Coordinating the harvest was a volunteer position for him.

“I kind of stepped up and thought it would be a cool opportunity to, you know, serve our country in a different way,” he said.

Dronen has worked the forest for nearly 20 years and loves Idaho.

“It’s a wonderful place to have a family, and the work’s great,” he said. “I enjoy work with the Forest Service. It’s been fun.”