Payette National Forest Supervisor Keith Lannom said the tree that Idaho is sending to Washington, D.C. to serve as the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is 80 feet tall, and 84 years old; its rings were counted after it was cut to determine its age. It weighs 16,500 pounds. And it took two and a half days to pack into its truck trailer for the trip across the country. “It was 26 feet wide when it started; it’s now eight and a half feet wide,” Lannom said.

A water bladder that will be refilled each day will keep the Engelmann spruce fresh on its journey east.

“This tree is a gift from Idaho to the nation, and it represents the beauty and the bountiful natural resources found in our national forests,” Lannom said.