It Takes a Village To Prepare the People's Tree

For many families, it is an annual tradition to come to the U.S. Capitol to see and take photos with the Christmas tree. Those memories and photos are made possible by the collaboration and hard work of employees from various AOC jurisdictions. The Capitol Grounds and Arboretum team selects the tree from a national forest designated by the U.S. Forest Service and a team of arborists work to install and decorate the tree on the West Front Lawn. The Capitol Power Plant Distribution High Voltage and Electronics Branch teams work to ensure that electrical needs for the tree arrival and lighting ceremonies are met. The Capitol Building team works diligently to prepare the areas around the West Front Lawn for the tree arrival and lighting ceremonies, ensuring that no matter the weather the events are successful. The Photography and Technical Imaging Branch team works for months documenting the work by the various jurisdictions, including the selection, arrival and tree setup, as well as the lighting ceremony and the recycling of the wood from the Christmas tree after the end of the holiday season. Lastly, the Office of the Chief Security Officer with the U.S. Capitol Police ensure that the tree arrives on campus safely and oversee security details for the tree arrival and lighting ceremonies.

This multijurisdictional team effort involves dozens of hard-working, dedicated AOC employees who are proud of their work and conscious of their role in making this special tradition successful and joyous for all. We invite you to meet a few of them and learn more about what it takes to bring holiday cheer from a national forest to Capitol Hill.

Capitol Grounds and Arboretum

The Capitol Grounds and Arboretum team works closely with the U.S. Forest Service team to select the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. Once the tree is selected, a team of arborists work diligently preparing for the arrival ceremony, then setting up and decorating the tree for the lighting ceremony.

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Jim Kaufmann, Director.

Q: Can you explain how you and your team support the Christmas tree lighting ceremony?

A: The large part of Capitol Grounds and Arboretum's work revolves around installation, decorating, lighting and removal. We go to great efforts to protect the grounds of the U.S. Capitol and work very strategically with many other partners to safely load in ground protection required for the crane. A large group effort is required to safely rig the tree, offload from the truck, install and secure the tree in place. We do this in one day generally always under the watchful eye of many press cameras. Then the team goes to work on ensuring the tree structure is full and presentable. Then comes the installation of the thousands of ornaments and lights and the star topper. We complete the process with installation of pedestrian ground protection to provide a safe and accessible path and walking platform around the tree. It makes for a real treat to be able to say that you decorated the Capitol Christmas Tree. Our arborists are the main portion of the workforce that works on it. That is a team of eight when fully staffed. The offloading of the tree may require up to 30 employees including gardeners, equipment operators, laborers, masons and plumbers.

Q: What are the challenges that you find in selecting the perfect Christmas tree? How many trees have you selected in your tenure at the AOC?

A: Numerous challenges are present in selecting the tree. The biggest considerations are finding the balance between the most aesthetically pleasing tree versus logistics of harvesting and any potential environmental impacts. For example, a full and visually perfect tree may be available, but it could be in a remote area that will not accommodate an 83-foot tractor trailer and cranes required for harvesting.

The 2023 Christmas tree will officially be my sixth U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. I had the pleasure of assisting the previous director in 2017. I have also selected Christmas trees in the past for the U.S. Botanic Garden and the National Gallery of Art. It is always great to meet new people and understand why the Christmas tree is important to them and the community. I can get a sense about how the tree can impact a community and forest region. The tree plays a role in many people's lives and I get to be one tiny part of that experience.

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Steve Graham, Arborist Supervisor.

Q: What are the challenges that you and your team face when setting up or decorating the tree?

A: Weather is a huge factor for setting up trees. Too much wind could potentially cause a delay or cancellation and rain or wintry weather is something we just have to work with. Another challenge is the short amount of time to complete the tree setup and decoration. With roughly a week to get this project finished, often we must work through inclement weather, holidays and weekends. This is often tough when so many people prefer to travel with family over the Thanksgiving holiday. A big challenge for the arborist team is receiving a tree that may have had many limbs cut or pruned, broken or damaged due to its size and challenge of fitting onto a flat bed. While decorating the tree we must be very selective regarding what decorations will adorn the tree. Items such as paper products, poorly crafted ornaments and certain size variations can play a big role in what is to be hung on the tree. While supporting the tree lighting ceremony we do multiple test lightings. We set up a perimeter around the tree, do a final cleanup, provide the appropriate signage and tree information for attendees and make sure our final product is ready for the world to view. Many times, we must add security fencing for the night of the lighting.

Q: What does the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree mean to you?

A: Working on my 14th Christmas tree this year still brings me much joy and pride. My family and children often get to enjoy the efforts our AOC and Capitol Grounds and Arboretum team put forth to bring some Christmas spirit to all who celebrate. Personally, I really enjoy the collaboration, professionalism and meeting all the kind people behind the scenes to make this a successful holiday tradition on Capitol Grounds. Also, getting the children involved makes this more special and worthwhile. Sadly, the last entire family photo I have with my late father was taken at the Christmas tree in 2020. I like to think of how proud he was of me and my team on a job well done at our nation's capital.

Capitol Power Plant

The Capitol Power Plant Distribution High Voltage team is in charge of setting up and wiring of the tree to make sure that the Christmas lights turn on when the Speaker of the House and the designated youth tree lighter flip the switch at the end of the Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The Electronics Branch team supports the lighting ceremony by providing sound support for the event.

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Berry Russom, High Voltage Electrician Leader.

Q: Can you explain how you and your team support the tree lighting ceremony?

A: Safety is the first thing. After the tree is mounted, we start by putting up the lights. Depending on the size of the tree, we use around four to five thousand new LED lights that will draw about 40 to 50 amps (4,000 to 6,000 watts), this is equivalent to the energy that a clothes dryer uses at home. As for the ceremony, our team provides all electrical needs such as power for the Speaker's podium and all the media covering the event. And of course, the main power for the tree itself. Weather is one of the main challenges for our team. Sometimes rain, sleet, wind and snow can make our job harder, but our team gets the job done and the ceremony does go on regardless of the weather.

Q: What does the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree mean to you?

A: The Capitol Christmas Tree means to me togetherness; it always brings out the good in all of us. For one moment in time, it gives everyone something we all can relate to, and it helps us experience happiness and love for all. It is also special to see all the children from the state the tree is from. It really makes you feel great to see the happiness that our hard work brings to their faces. The Christmas tree symbolizes all of us coming together for the common good and I can't say how good it makes me feel to see all the children, the smiles, the happy faces and the glow of the lights on their shining faces.

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Robert Gatewood, Electronics Mechanic General Supervisor.

Q: Can you explain how you and your team support the tree lighting ceremony?

A: Annually the Electronics Branch (EB) team is tasked to support the delivery and lighting ceremonies for the Capitol Christmas Tree. The arrival ceremony is a smaller event, so the EB team uses a mid-level audio system to deliver the sound. The Christmas tree lighting ceremony is a much larger event that involves Members of Congress, several federal agencies and the public. For that event, we work with an audio contractor to provide a public address system and system technical engineer. A concert-level system is used to deliver the sound and includes podium microphones, mixers and an audio power amplifier to supply the speakers. Additionally, an auxiliary feed is provided for press and congressional recording studios to also receive the audio. Our team is comprised of three branches; procurement and planning, delivery ceremony and lighting ceremony, and eight electronics mechanics and engineers work on the Christmas tree events.

Q: What is the best part of working on the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree project?

A: The inner agency togetherness that just happens... all to ensure the public display is spectacular and favorably memorable. For each year it is the pleasure of being part of history, though it is behind the scenes, I feel privileged to have that experience to share with my friends and family during story times.

Capitol Building

The Capitol Building team supports the arrival and tree lighting ceremonies — ensuring that planning is in place, so necessary equipment is set up correctly, in working order and on time so both the Christmas tree's arrival and lighting ceremonies take place without a hitch.

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Kimberly Coats, Business Financial Analyst.

Q: Can you explain how you and your team support the Christmas tree lighting ceremony?

A: The Planning, Evaluation and Operation (PEO) team works with Legislative and Public Affairs, Capitol Grounds and Arboretum, and the Speaker's office to plan and execute the setup for the tree lighting ceremony. The majority of Capitol Building employees play some role in the event including PEO working on planning and setup logistics; Labor to stage and set up equipment; Carpentry to provide leveling of the podium after placement and fabrication of height boxes (for the young participants); Paint to touch up the outdoor podium; Masons providing the ADA mats; and Sheet Metal providing crossovers and ramps to access the lawn. Obviously, the ceremony is outdoors and therefore subject to weather! We've held ceremonies in warm and cold weather, sometimes snow and unfortunately sometimes (like 2016), in the pouring rain!

Q: What is the best part of working on the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree project?

A: Like all AOC events, large or small, the best part is partnering with great coworkers from all jurisdictions who work together to ensure the ceremony is a success and the AOC is represented in the best light. Typically, a student from the state where the tree is from is selected to help "flip the switch." It's always special to see the excitement on their face as they countdown to light the tree!

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Ricardo Mitchell, Materials Handler Supervisor.

Q: Can you explain how your team supports the tree lighting ceremony?

A: We provide labor support for the Christmas tree arrival and lighting ceremonies. We set up the stanchions, install mats, arrange the chair sets and podium with the light switch to light the tree. Our team works regardless of weather, and we have to have enough manpower to move the equipment through the sidewalks to the location of the Christmas tree. Usually, 10 to 12 members of our team work on this project to get it done in a timely manner.

Q: What does the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree mean to you?

A: Working on the Christmas tree brings back memories of when my father used to bring us to see the Capitol Christmas Tree when I was a kid. It is special to know that other kids will remember this event and one day bring their own kids here to appreciate and take pictures with the tree. It is also special to know that this Christmas tree is seen all around the world and on TV throughout the holiday season and that me and my team play a part in making it happen.

Photography and Technical Imaging Branch

The Photography and Technical Imaging Branch (PTIB) team works on documenting and capturing the tree selection, harvest, arrival and lighting ceremonies. They also document the work done by all jurisdictions to prepare for the tree lighting ceremony. This talented team of photographers works day and night to ensure that hundreds of images from these events are taken and archived for future generations.

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Thomas Hatzenbuhler, Photographer.

Q: Can you explain how you and your team support the tree lighting ceremony?

A: PTIB supports the annual tradition of the Capitol Christmas Tree by providing photography and videography documentation of the numerous teams, individuals and events that ensure the tree is a special and memorable experience for Members of Congress, AOC staff and the public. This year, we had the opportunity to tell the entire story of the Capitol Christmas Tree through photos and video. I traveled with Jim Kaufmann, Director of Capitol Grounds and Arboretum, to the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia to document the selection process, as well as the harvesting of the tree. PTIB also photographs and films the arrival of the tree to the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building, which is a well-coordinated day of activity involving many AOC employees across jurisdictions coming together to ensure the tree arrives safely and is anchored securely to the lawn of the West Front. Throughout the weeks following the arrival of the tree, the PTIB team will photograph AOC arborists and the high voltage crew as they decorate the tree and install the innumerable strands of lights that will eventually illuminate the tree and the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building. The PTIB team also photographs the AOC's efforts in setting up for the tree lighting ceremony, as well as the ceremony itself, as the crowning achievement of the AOC's hard work and dedication to this time-honored tradition.

Q: Can you share a special anecdote or memory from your involvement with the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree?

A: This year, I was given the opportunity to travel to the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia to document the selection process and harvesting of the tree. This is the very first time that our office has told the entire story of the Capitol Christmas Tree from the selection of the tree to the lighting ceremony on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. I had never been to West Virginia prior to my journey there in July 2023, and the landscapes of the Monongahela National Forest are incomparably beautiful. I am very grateful for the experiences I had photographing and filming in such an amazing place! The entire experience of the Capitol Christmas Tree is all about the people that make it happen. For me, the work that goes into documenting every aspect of this tradition is a celebration of the dedicated employees of the AOC (and National Forest Service, U.S. Capitol Police, etc.) that come together to accomplish great achievements. My role and responsibility is to highlight those individuals and teams in the best light possible. Pun intended.

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Sean Greene, Photographer.

Q: Can you explain how your team supports the tree lighting ceremony?

A: Every year we join the High Voltage team before the official tree lighting ceremony to do a pre-light of the tree in order to create the best image of the Capitol Christmas Tree. We wake up before the roosters to capture the perfect balance between early morning first light and the twinkling of the tree seated in front of the Capitol at just the right position. We do quite a bit of technical photography on this usually using a perspective correction lens of an ideal length to showcase the tree, not only lit in a way that perfectly matches the sky but also from a perspective that retains the Capitol Building's architecture and scale. We definitely nerd out. The goal being to create a stunning keepsake.

Q: Do you have a favorite image that you think captures the holiday spirit that the tree brings to the Capitol campus?

A: My favorite image is from Thomas, who managed to get on a lift with one of our AOC employees and took amazing photographs of the star being placed on top of the tree. I just feel like it captures a really unique time and place and feeling as well as showing behind-the-scenes some of the work that goes into doing all of these great things. I'm honored to be a part of documenting the hard work that goes on at the AOC. It is an inspiringly beautiful place that is ever showing me new sides to its face. Preserving the heritage of the art, grounds and buildings is a monumental task and the people that work behind the scenes doing it are some of the best of us.

The star, made by AOC's Upholstery Shop, is placed atop the tree in 2022.

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree has a rich history as the People's Tree. Behind that history is a hardworking and dedicated workforce that is proud of their work on this timeless holiday event. It truly takes an AOC village to keep this wonderful holiday tradition alive year after year.