The Shadow
Roanoke Va. (VR) —The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest delivered a 32-foot red spruce tree to the nation’s capital for the holiday season. In collaboration with the National Park Service, on November 15, the James River and Warm Springs Ranger District selected the tree from the high-elevation mountains of Highland County, Virginia for transport to the White House.
This marks the third year the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and National Park Service have partnered to provide the National Christmas Tree and the second year for the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. The Monongahela National Forest from nearby West Virginia provided the 2023 National Christmas Tree.
“We are incredibly honored to once again provide the National Christmas Tree to the White House as a symbol of hope and unity during the holiday season,” said Forest Supervisor Job Timm. “This beautiful 32-foot red spruce is uniquely special to central Appalachia as a testament to the resilience and adaptability to the communities we serve.”
Working with a variety of partners through the Southern Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative, the Forest Service has intensified efforts to restore red spruce ecosystems from planted seeds across the Eastern states.
The National Christmas Tree is located on the Ellipse at The White House and President’s Park and can be viewed by the public beginning December 6. The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on December 4 in President’s Park in Washington, D.C. Tickets are required. Learn more at the National Park Service’s website.
Learn more about the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest on our website and follow us on Facebook.
About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology—and rooted in communities—the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the United States, of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.
