Every year the USDA Forest Service provides a tree from one of the country’s 154 national forests for display on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. Visit our About page for more information about this tradition. 

Alaska’s National Forests include the Tongass and Chugach national forests, which host tremendous natural beauty with active glaciers, complex ecosystems, diverse plant and animal life, and rich geologic history, and are the traditional homelands of many Alaska Native peoples. They also support vibrant economies in nearby communities through commercial fishing, guided sport fishing and hunting, tourism, mining, and more.

This year, the tree will come from the Tongass National Forest—at nearly 17 million acres, it is the largest national forest in the United States, and the largest contiguous temperate rainforest in the world. It is a land of beauty, mystery, and natural riches that covers most of southeast Alaska. The forest has two national monuments, two productive mines, 19 Wilderness Areas protecting 6.6 million acres, over 140 reservable cabins, and 450 miles of hiking trails. It’s also larger than 10 U.S. states!

The Chugach National Forest is located in the heart of South Central Alaska. As the northernmost national forest in the Nation, it features 48,000 acres of lakes, 1,800 miles of streams that produce 66 million salmon a year (11% of Pacific salmon production), pristine ecosystems, and limitless outdoor recreation opportunities.

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree serves as an ambassador, representing Alaska’s magnificent forests where nature, people, and tradition. After a multi-month search, candidate trees are presented to the Architect of the Capitol staff, who select the Tree that will grace the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol this holiday season.

This year’s logo image creation was a joint effort. The traditional elements were crafted by Tlingit and Inupiat artist Mike Hoyt and the scenery was provided by Chugach National Forest employee Shannon Holt. Their work together represents the national forests of Alaska, along with the beauty and wonder of nature that brings everyone together.

The logo highlights the majestic landscape of Alaska, its rich culture and traditions, diverse

ecosystems, and abundant resources. For Alaska Natives, it is also a nod to the strong bond they have to their lands. The red ribbon with “Alaska’s National Forests” represents the two forests in Alaska, and the second ribbon below it, “Kayéil’, Sagú, Ḵa Toowúk’éi” translates to “Peace, Joy, and Happiness” in the Tlingit language. The line art on the sides represents both an eagle and a raven, commonly found in the Indigenous cultures of southeast Alaska. Across the top, “2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree” points to the symbol of hope and celebration around the holidays across the nation as “The People’s Tree.”

The image scenery is an alpenglow-drenched scene, depicting the Alaska Region theme. Receding glaciers, vast forests, and wetlands with a majestic Sitka spruce that stands prominently in the center symbolizes this gift to the American people. The constellations of the Big Dipper and the North Star are distinctive icons of Alaska, and the aurora further emphasizes its majestic qualities. Birds, fish, and other wildlife silhouettes signify the creatures of nature whose existence are so closely entwined with our own, while two human figures represent all of us and our common love of this special place.

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree and handmade ornaments and tree skirts will make the journey from Alaska to Washington, D.C., for the official tree lighting ceremony at our nation’s capital. The ornaments and tree skirts will be used to decorate smaller, companion trees that are locally sourced and provided to federal offices in Washington, D.C. The tree tour will include community celebrations at various stops in Alaska and other states along the route. Follow the route online at www.uscapitolchristmastree.com and @uscapitolchristmastree on Facebook and Instagram, and @USCapitolTree on Twitter.

Many climates are ideal for growing trees. Christmas trees are usually “conifers,” or evergreen trees that keep their needles during the fall and winter months. Various fir, pine, and spruce species are grown as Christmas trees in every U.S. state 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.

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. 

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 

Alaska has approximately 129 million acres of forestland of all types ranging from expanding cold–tolerant forest above the arctic circle to the temperate rainforest of southeast Alaska. Alaska has the largest and the second largest National Forest in the country: the Chugach is 5.4 million acres and the Tongass has 17 million acres. These national forests include glaciers, ice fields, historic gold mines and incredible wildlife. Alaska also has the largest private forest landownership in the country through Alaska Native Peoples, who through private corporations own 44 million acres over 12 large corporations representing different ethnic groups and 200 village corporations.   

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. 

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. 

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. 

“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. 

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.