DC -- U.S. Capitol Grounds -- Christmas Tree (2009):
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- Description of Pictures: 2009 -- Blue Spruce -- 85 feet (26 m) -- Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests -- Arizona -- Joined by Kaitlyn Ferencik, from Canyon Ridge Elementary School in Surprise, Arizona, Nancy Pelosi lit the tree in a ceremony on December 8. The tree was felled in early November, and delivered to Washington on November 30. The tree was decorated with 10,000 LEDs, and 5,000 ornaments crafted and donated by the people of Arizona.[5]
A significant portion of the ornaments were created by Arizona school children who were provided with specifications for their ornaments, including the instructions that “[o]rnaments cannot reflect a religious or political theme… Instead share your interpretation of our theme ‘Arizona’s Gift, from the Grand Canyon State.’” The ADF sent a letter to various officials associated with the 2009 tree, on the behalf of Candace Duncan, whose child wished to submit ornaments including the following phrases: "Happy Birthday, Jesus," and "Merry Christmas." The ADF made the argument that the child's First Amendment rights were violated by the restrictions.[6] The instructions for the event were modified by October 1, and no longer included the religious restrictions. A spokesperson for the AOC was quoted as saying the previous instruction contained “old information,” and that “is no longer the position of the agency.”[7]
Arizona's Gift from the Grand Canyon State:
Capitol Christmas Tree 2009
Each year since 1970, one of the Nation's 155 National Forests has the honor of providing the tree for the United States Capitol. Known as "The People's Tree," it graces the west lawn of the US Capitol during the Christmas season.
This year, the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests of northeastern Arizona was asked to provide the 2009 US Capitol Christmas Tree. The magnificent Blue spruce stood 85-feet at harvest and 65-feet as displayed. Arizona also provided 80 smaller companion trees for the United States Capitol complex. These trees are from all parts of the state including national forests and tribal lands.
More than 6,000 armaments were handcrafted by Arizona's school children for the tree before you. Reflecting the theme of Arizona's Gift, these ornaments showcase all that is special and unique about our state. The beauty and diversity of Arizona's natural resources, the richness and vibrancy of our many cultures, with the talents and generosity of our people is found in each of these ornaments.
When you think of Arizona, a desert landscape with Saguaro cactus likely comes to mind. And you're right -- that describes some parts of Arizona. But what about the Arizona that produced this huge Blue spruce conifer? This tree comes from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests whose landscapes range from 3,500 feet to 11,500 feet in elevation.
The Mogollon Rim, often featured in the writings of Zane Grey and Aldo Leopold, extends for 200 miles and features the largest contiguous stand of Ponderosa pine trees in the world. On a clear day, forest visitors can look out over the Rim from as high as 9,000 feet in elevation and see waves of the forests below unfold for a hundred miles. The Coronado Trail Scenic Byway meanders through the eastern portion of the forests. This trail traces the path of Coronado's conquistadors in their search for the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola over 450 years ago.
This tree grew near the community of Alpine, an area often called the Alps of Arizona. At an elevation of 8,100 feet, Alpine boasts a population of 800. The mountain hamlet is surrounded by high elevation grasslands and meadows that attract Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, big horn sheep, mountain lions, bald eagles, black bear and Apache trout.
Blue spruce trees need elbow room to grow, so you'll find them near the edges of mountain meadows, where this one grew. They need cold winters, lots of sunlight and more moisture than many other trees that grow in the southwest. Their natural conical shape makes it a popular species for the classic Christmas tree.
Enjoy "Arizona's Gift" from the Grand Canyon State -- the Capitol Christmas Tree 2009. For more information visit http://www.CapitolChristmasTree2009.org
Facts About Arizona's Gift from the Grand Canyon State -- Capitol Christmas Tree 2009:
Species: Blue spruce (Picea pungens)
Height: 85-feet at harvest, 65-feet delivered
Age: 70 years old
Diameter of trunk at base: 27 inches
Weight: approximately 9,000 pounds at harvest
Width of tree at base of crown: 30 feet
Harvested from: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, Arizona
Honorary Name: Aldo Leopold Centennial Tree
Distance Traveled: 4,600+ miles from Arizona to Washington, DC
Companion Trees: 80 additional trees are displayed throughout Capitol Complex offices
Companion Tree Ornaments: 4,000 handcrafted ornaments from organizations throughout Arizona
Capitol Christmas Tree Ornaments: 6,000 handcrafted ornaments made by the school children of Arizona
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- Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
- CAPX_091212_116.JPG: The Capitol Christmas tree @ night
- CAPX_091221_110.JPG: The Capitol Christmas tree during the day
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- Wikipedia Description: Capitol Christmas Tree
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Capitol Christmas Tree (formerly the Capitol Holiday Tree) is the decorated tree that is erected annually on the West Front Lawn of the United States Capitol, in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the Christmas holiday season. The selection, installation, and decoration of the tree are all overseen by the Superintendent of the Capitol Grounds of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC).
Records of the AOC indicate that a Christmas Tree was purchased in 1919; however, it was not until 1964, one year after the suggestion of John W. McCormack, the 53rd Speaker of the House, that a procedure was established for the installation of a yearly tree.
The 1963 tree was a live Douglas-fir, purchased from a Pennsylvania nursery. It was re-decorated each year through 1967 when it was severely damaged in a wind storm and subsequently died as a result of root damage. After the 1963 tree died, white pines from Maryland were cut down and put on display for the 1968 and 1969 seasons. Beginning in 1970, trees have been provided by the U.S. Forest Service from various National Forests.
The Capitol Christmas Tree is traditionally lit during a ceremony at the beginning of December, and remains lit each night though New Year's Day.
Name controversy
In the late 1990s, the Capitol Christmas Tree was renamed to the Capitol Holiday Tree. There was never a clear explanation as to why the name change occurred, but the name change raised controversy. On November 29, 2005, the day after the 2005 tree arrived from New Mexico, the tree was renamed the Capitol Christmas Tree at the request of Dennis Hastert, the 59th Speaker of the House.
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