The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, an 80-foot Sitka spruce, will light up the West Lawn of the Capitol during the 2024 holiday season. In a tradition that began in 1970, this year's tree, selected from a different national forest each year, traveled more than 4,200 miles from the Tongass National Forest in Alaska — America's largest national forest — to reach the West Lawn.

As in years past, 84 Lumber, the privately held building materials supplier, has been the presenting sponsor of what is affectionately known as "The People's Tree.” 

In a Dec. 5 news release, 84 Lumber said the tree's journey included 11 stops, where people signed the truck's banner with personal messages, from Wrangell, Ala., through Fort Wayne, Ind., and Altoona, Iowa, as well as Dover Air Force Base and Joint Base Andrews.

As part of its annual holiday celebration, 84 Lumber brought an early Christmas gift to Dover Air Force Base families by donating 84 Christmas trees during a private event held at Major George S. Welch Elementary School & Air Base Middle School. 

Holiday cheer also arrived at Joint Base Andrews, where 84 Lumber gifted 84 Christmas trees to military families as a token of gratitude for their service and sacrifice before the tree's last stop on its journey to Washington, D.C.

"It's a joy to spread a little extra holiday magic to those who give so much," said 84 Lumber's Vice President of Marketing Amy Smiley. "Part of 84 Lumber's messaging for this year's tree was a call to action for employers to consider hiring veterans to fill their open positions. This important message was proudly displayed on the banner adorning the truck carrying the People's Tree," said Smiley.

The tree will be lit from dusk until 11 p.m. each evening until January 1, 2025.

For more information, visit 84lumber.com.