103-Foot Shasta Fir Felled for Christmas Tree at U.S. Capitol
Volunteer loggers on Thursday felled a 103-foot Shasta red fir for use as the Christmas tree at the U.S. Capitol.
The tree, taken from the Klamath National Forest, just south of the Oregon border, is the first Capitol Christmas tree to come from west of the Mississippi.
Logger Mike Stonecypher, who won the honor in a logging show at the Siskiyou County Fair, cut the top 55 feet from the tree, and that portion will be shipped by rail to Washington, where it will be erected on the west lawn of the Capitol building. After it is decorated with ornaments made by California schoolchildren, retiring House Speaker Thomas P. (Tip) O’Neill will throw the light switch.
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