Idaho spruce set to begin cross-country trip as the 2026 Capitol Christmas Tree

The tree that will stand on the U.S. Capitol’s West Lawn this Christmas is about to leave Idaho’s national forests. On Oct. 22, organizers announced that Boise Cascade will transport the 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from the Lochsa-Powell Ranger District of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. The trip covers nearly 3,000 miles and includes stops in towns along the way.

Kenworth Truck Company, a longtime sponsor, recommended Boise Cascade for the job. The building-materials company is based in Boise. Kenworth is supplying a T680 truck with a full body wrap. The four drivers, Monte Cook, Phillip Cramer, Fred Holmes and Tianne Larrimer, have more than 100 years of driving experience among them, according to the announcement.

Boise Cascade CEO Jeff Strom said: “This tree will carry the spirit of Idaho nearly 3,000 miles to Washington, D.C., bringing communities together along the way.”

A late switch in the woods

This year’s tree is not the one first chosen. On Aug. 13, organizers announced that Jim Kaufmann of the Architect of the Capitol had selected an 80-foot grand fir on the forests’ Salmon River Ranger District. Kaufmann is executive director of Capitol Grounds and Arboretum. Forest Service employees had identified more than 60 candidate trees, and he toured a dozen of them.

In late September, foresters dropped that tree because it showed signs of needlecast disease and moved to their backup, Boise State Public Radio reported on Sept. 30. The station said Zachary Peterson of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests pointed to yellowing needles at the base of the fir. The replacement is a 76-foot Engelmann spruce from the Lochsa-Powell Ranger District, close in size and shape to the original.

The Idaho Mountain Express reported that this is the third Engelmann spruce Idaho has sent to the Capitol. The earlier two came from the Boise National Forest in 2003 and the Payette National Forest in 2016. Organizers said the harvest was planned for late October.

Whistle-stop tour

The Forest Service, the Society of American Foresters and presenting sponsor Idaho Forest Group are planning free public events at each stop. Visitors can see and photograph the tree and truck, sign a banner and learn about the national forests. The published route:

• Oct. 29: Grangeville, Idaho
• Oct. 30: Lewiston, Idaho
• Oct. 31: Moscow, Idaho
• Nov. 1: Orofino and Kamiah, Idaho
• Nov. 3: Lolo, Montana
• Nov. 4: Salmon, Idaho
• Nov. 5: Craters of the Moon National Monument and Twin Falls, Idaho
• Nov. 6: Idaho Falls, Idaho
• Nov. 7: Gardiner, Montana
• Nov. 9: Sheridan, Wyoming
• Nov. 10: Custer, South Dakota
• Nov. 12: Mitchell, South Dakota, and Albert Lea, Minnesota
• Nov. 13: Peoria, Illinois
• Nov. 14: Richmond, Indiana
• Nov. 16: Morgantown, West Virginia
• Nov. 17: Hagerstown, Maryland, and Littlestown, Pennsylvania
• Nov. 19: Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (military ID holders only)

Organizers say event details will be finalized in the coming weeks.

Ornaments and a young tree lighter

The Architect of the Capitol’s staff will decorate the tree with thousands of handmade ornaments from Idaho residents, and the theme is “Over the rivers and through the woods.” Boise State Public Radio reported that the Forest Service met its goal of 10,000 ornaments. Alaska Airlines is flying the ornaments east.

Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch held an essay contest for Idaho fourth graders. Entries were open from Sept. 8 to Sept. 30 and answered the question “Why are healthy forests and clean water in Idaho important?” The winner will help light the tree and read the essay at the ceremony, which organizers expect in the first week of December.

The “People’s Tree” tradition is more than 50 years old. Each year the tree comes from one of the country’s 154 national forests.