U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

August 13, 2026

2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Selected on Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest’s Salmon River Ranger District

June 11, 2026

Idaho Forest Group is the Presenting Sponsor for the 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

Featured Event

The Journey Begins

The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests magnificent landscapes are only matched by its economic productivity and rich history. The forests produce valuable timber, host numerous outfitters and guide businesses, and provide grazing land, minerals, and recreational opportunities cherished by Idahoans. Follow along for the tree’s journey to Washington DC!

Upcoming Events

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree?
Where will this year’s tree come from?
Where can I see the tree?
Where do Christmas Trees grow?

Many climates are ideal for growing trees. Christmas trees are usually “conifers,” which are evergreen trees that keep their needles during the fall and winter months. Various fir and pine species are grown as Christmas trees in every U.S. across the U.S. but flourish in areas with long, sunny summers and cool, moist winters.

While the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is grown in a national forest, most Christmas trees sold in the U.S. come from private tree farms. These Christmas trees are cultivated like other agricultural crops. Farmers plant tree seedlings in neat rows or more natural stands and grow them for an average of seven years. Approximately 98 percent of Christmas trees used yearly are grown on farms as sustainable crops, like apples or pumpkins.
Where can I find my own Christmas Tree?

Celebrating the holiday season with a real tree is a long-standing tradition, and selecting a tree is a fun and memorable outdoor experience for the family. Getting a real Christmas tree provides opportunities to support local businesses, learn about biology and living things, and embark on an outdoor family adventure. Trees are fully recyclable and biodegradable. In most urban and suburban areas, Christmas trees are collected curbside, and trees are chipped and made into mulch so it can help something else – even more trees, playgrounds, or walking trails!

If you’re looking for a bit of adventure and fresh air, harvesting a Christmas tree can be fun. You can go to a Christmas tree farm where saws are provided, and trees are likely well-groomed. Start searching for a local tree farm at the National Christmas Tree Association’s tree finder web page Or, venture out into a national forest* to find your own. To learn more about finding a tree from your local woods and obtaining a permit, visit https://www.recreation.gov/tree-permits.
The tree comes from a national forest managed by the USDA Forest Service. Do others own and manage forests?

There are over 741 million acres of forestland in the United States. That’s enough trees to cover the whole state of Texas four times over! In addition to federal land like national forests and parks, many states have their own state and locally owned forests, and private companies, nonprofit organizations, tribes, families, and individuals also own and manage a significant portion of our nation’s forested lands.

The federal government owns and manages 30 percent of America’s forests; state and local governments own about 10 percent; and private and tribal entities own and manage 60 percent. Interestingly, over 50 percent of U.S. forestland is owned and managed by more than 10 million private owners, with most being family and individual-owned parcels averaging less than 25 acres. Source: Forest Inventory and Analysis Program
Why do we manage our forests?

When a tree falls in a forest, it might have been blown down by the wind, washed out by a flood, or cut down with a saw. Each of these is considered a disturbance that can change a forest’s appearance. Even if we did nothing in our forests except to enjoy them, they would all look different in the future than they do today.

However, humans have been influencing forest change for thousands of years. From Native Americans using fire to create open forests, to the industrial logging of early colonial settlers, to the sustainable harvest regulations we have today, how we have managed forests has changed, but the fact stands that trees are still used every day by everyone in the United States. Did you know that the average person uses 640 pounds of wood yearly?

Depending on who owns the land, the activities from one forest to another may differ. Some forests might be designated solely for timber production, while others focus strictly on habitat preservation. Many forests are managed with multiple objectives, including timber production, recreational activities, wildlife habitat, and aesthetics. For example, national parks do not conduct commercial timber harvests and focus on recreation, while growing trees to produce wood products might be the goal of a tribe, a private company, or a family.

Many of the forests in the United States have been intensively managed in the last two centuries, and because of that, there are many places where forest management is necessary for maintaining forest health.
Why is fire important in forest management?

Forests, grasslands, and even some specialized ecosystems like bogs, have long histories of fire. Much like other natural disturbances like windstorms or hurricanes, fire has shaped the landscape of the United States. Most are aware that fire occurs in western states, but did you know the rest of the country also has fire-adapted ecosystems?

For example, in the south, the red-cockaded woodpecker and gopher tortoise live in healthy longleaf pine forests maintained by fire. In eastern forests, oaks have evolved with fire. Without fire, other trees like maples, beeches, and birches can crowd oaks and eventually replace them if fire is not used as a management tool. In the Great Lakes Region, there is evidence that fire played a role in shaping nearly all the native plant communities – including the many acres of blueberry patches!

Today, the use of prescribed fire is a valuable forest management tool and can reduce hazardous fuels, improve wildlife habitat, recycle nutrients back to the soil, and promote vegetative growth.
Who manages our forest?

Foresters help make important decisions about how to manage forests. Foresters are trained to understand all of the elements of a healthy forest: trees, water, soil, wildlife, and more. Foresters must obtain a special license to oversee forest management decisions and activities in many states. They work to ensure that forests can continue to thrive while providing wood for lumber, paper, and other products.

The Society of American Foresters is proud that its members have been part of stewarding and conserving forests for over 100 years. Professionals, forests, and sustainability go hand-in-hand as we continue to learn and challenge ourselves to use the best available science and research to guide us in managing our forests.
How can I learn more about getting a job working in forestry?

“Green” jobs present a wide variety of career opportunities based on interest areas and skillsets. Jobs can be seasonal or full time, in both indoor and outdoor settings. Jobs in this sector include things like foresters, park rangers, wildland firefighters, wildlife biologists, policy makers, public outreach professionals, recreation managers, loggers, and lumber mill workers. If you’d like to learn more about the wide array of forestry and other green jobs, view the Society of American Foresters’ College Guide and visit Project Learning Tree’s Exploring Forest Careers website.
Can you tell me more about the benefits of trees and forests?

Forests help filter water, supply oxygen, provide habitat for diverse animal and plant species, and store atmospheric carbon. Our forests supply renewable resources for many products humans use every day such as lumber, paper, furniture, and heating and green energy, along with jobs that support families and communities. They also provide us with places for recreation, relaxation, and beauty. Healthy forests play a critical role in maintaining all of these benefits.

Water
In the U.S., millions rely on surface water from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs as their main source of safe drinking water. Much of this surface water comes from sources that originate in forested watersheds. Some are publicly owned and managed as a water resource, while others are privately owned and managed. Maintaining a healthy, intact forest ecosystem is critical to protecting these water sources from issues like sedimentation and runoff.

Carbon
Forest ecosystems are an important part of the carbon cycle. Forests take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. They release oxygen and store carbon in the wood. Wood is layers of carbon. Carbon is also in the soil and biomass. Biomass is a term used to denote live and dead plant material in ecosystems, and includes trees, shrubs, plants, woody debris, litter, and roots.

Employment
Hundreds of thousands of people are employed in a variety of forest related jobs, from forestry, logging, millwork and cabinetmaking to engineering, hydrology, business management and academic research. These forestry and natural resource professionals help care for our forests, conserve fish and wildlife habitat, protect water, sustain forests for future generations and make innovative forest products. The forest sector encompasses a diverse array of career paths that includes firefighters, ecologists, foresters, wildlife and fish biologists, and more.

Recreation
U.S. forests offer recreators millions of acres of forested lands on state and federal forests, creating robust opportunities for camping, hiking, fishing, photography, hunting and more. Our forests are a destination for visitors from throughout the world. They feature some of the largest, tallest and oldest trees on earth – trees that can’t be seen anywhere else in the world.

About the U.s. Capitol Christmas tree

Together with our partners, the State of Idaho, and the Nez Perce Tribe, the Forests are proud to be the host of the 2026 US Capitol Christmas Tree as we demonstrate to the Country a true working forest. The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests are honored to share their story with America on its 250th birthday.

Thank You To Our 2025 Sponsors

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTERS
SAF represents forestry professionals and advances sustainable management of forest resources through science, education, and technology. Learn more at eforester.org.

2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Selected on Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest’s Salmon River Ranger District

Idaho Forest Group is the Presenting Sponsor for the 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

Events

Douglas Fir (live)

Eastern White Pine (parts)

Eastern White Pine (parts)

Norway Spruce

Black Spruce

Balsam Fir

White Spruce

Fraser Fir

Balsam Fir

Red Spruce

White Spruce

Norway Spruce

White Spruce

White Spruce

White Spruce

Balsam Fir

White Spruce

White Spruce

Shasta Red Fir

Norway Fir

Balsam Fir

Engelmann Spruce

Engelmann Spruce

Blue Spruce (live)

White Spruce

White Fir

Balsam Fir

Douglas Fir

Engelmann Spruce

Black Hills Spruce

Colorado Blue Spruce

Douglas Fir

Engelmann Spruce

Red Spruce

Engelmann Spruce

Pacific Silver Fir

Subalpine Fir

Blue Spruce

Engelmann Spruce

Sierra White Fir

Engelmann Spruce

Engelmann Spruce

Lutz Spruce

Engelmann Spruce

Noble Fir

Engelmann Spruce

White Fir

Sitka Spruce

Red Fir

Grand Fir

Thank You To Our 2025 Sponsors