An Olmsted Christmas at the U.S. Capitol

It's that time of the year when we start thinking about the holidays. For the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) that means continuing the tradition of selecting the perfect Christmas tree to grace the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. This year the Capitol Christmas Tree hails from Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina; it is extra special because of the forest's historical ties with U.S. Capitol Grounds landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.

Olmsted was responsible for designing the U.S. Capitol Grounds. It took him 20 years to complete the sophisticated landscape that highlighted the building it surrounded. Olmsted noted that, "the ground is in design part of the U.S. Capitol, but in all respects subsidiary to the central structure."

As Olmsted neared the end of the project at the U.S. Capitol, he was hired by George Vanderbilt to develop the grounds of a mountain retreat near Asheville, North Carolina — the Biltmore. Olmsted envisioned a scientific approach to managing the wild land around the Biltmore. He urged Vanderbilt to hire noted naturalist Gifford Pinchot to implement the forest management plan. This is the late 19th-century moment when landscape architecture and land resource management merge for the first time. The Pisgah National Forest became home to the Biltmore Forest School, now recognized as the Cradle of Forestry, and Pinchot later became the first chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service.

In July 2022, I met with representatives from the Forest Service in North Carolina. They selected a dozen candidate trees for me to inspect. The Capitol Christmas Tree must be perfect to fit the landscape of the U.S. Capitol. The tree is viewed from 360 degrees and cannot have a bad side. It must be full, lush and at least 70 feet tall and 25 feet wide. It must be healthy and located in an area that is accessible via crane and an 85-foot tractor trailer. The branches must also be strong enough to support the thousands of handmade ornaments that will adorn the tree.

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I start my journey into the woods looking for the perfect tree. But it is much more than a tree. It is a tree that connects people, public land and the U.S. Capitol. The tree represents the people from North Carolina and will be adorned with handmade decorations that tell their story. This is why the tree is known as the People's Tree. As I look for the perfect tree, I am honored to learn from the people of North Carolina, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Pisgah Region about their rich history and the development of modern forestry, land management and conservation.

As I walk the woods with Forest Service professionals, I am introduced to conservation efforts actively underway to help propagate and preserve future stands of red spruce (Picea rubens). I learn about local endangered species such as the Carolina northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus) and spruce-fir moss spider (Microhexura montivaga). I am also graced with the presence of biologists and silviculturists to inspect the various candidate trees. The surrounding area is carefully observed for any environmental impacts, and I am in awe as I witness the respect and care that is given to the land. It is a clear reminder that a candidate tree represents and highlights conservation efforts to ensure that the natural landscape is preserved and continues to thrive. 

After several days of exploration, I come back to one tree time and time again. Nestled just off the road near the Blue Ridge Parkway grows a 78-foot red spruce. It's a healthy tree near a water source. Easily accessible by a crane but extra work is required to negotiate the narrow, winding mountain road that leads to the site. There are sapling spruce and fir species growing in the shadow of the tree that will thrive in the light and grow on for future generations. The tree is tall, wide and has the potential to be the Capitol Christmas Tree for 2022.

The selection is made, and the tree is fondly named Ruby the Red Spruce by the Forest Service.

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The harvest took place in early November and the tree was blessed with a Cherokee tribal blessing. It was hoisted and a team of well over 30 people worked to properly and safely compact the grand tree to fit into a trailer as it begins its journey to the West Front of the U.S. Capitol.

The tree represents the people of North Carolina and the Pisgah Region; a partnership of land conservation with the Forest Service and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; and a modern tie to the history between Olmsted, North Carolina, the U.S. Capitol and the Forest Service. This dedicated partnership brings the People's Tree to fruition. 

Once on the West Lawn, the AOC team will go to work to set and secure the tree and decorate it using thousands of ornaments made by the people of North Carolina.

The Capitol Christmas Tree is a jewel, representing the very best in our nation's forests. It is a symbol of the importance of our public lands and the role we all play to conserve and steward the land for our next generation.