Transporting the 2017 Capitol Christmas Tree

Nov. 13, 2017
A specially-decorated Kenworth T680 Advantage tractor is hauling the 2017 Capitol Christmas tree on a 3,000-mile journey from Montana to Washington D.C.

A 79-ft. Englemann Spruce harvested from northwestern Montana in the Kootenai National Forest will serve as the 53rd U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree – and it began its 3,000-plus mile journey east last week pulled by a specially-decorated Kenworth T680 Advantage tractor.

Larry Spiekermeier, a driver with Montana-based Whitewood Transport, is in charge of hauling the tree east on a tour that will stop at 15 “community events” across Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri, and Kentucky before arriving  in Washington D.C.

The 76 year-old Spruce, which weighs about 15,000 lbs., is fitted with a special 80-gallon water bladder to keep it hydrated during its journey and is also carefully wrapped and boxed on a special flatbed trailer to protect it from the elements.

The tree is destined to end its cross-country trip Nov. 26 at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland before being delivered to the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 27. U.S. Speaker of the House Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, and a Montanan, for the Christmas holiday at a special ceremony in early December.

About the Author

Sean Kilcarr | Editor in Chief

Sean reports and comments on trends affecting the many different strata of the trucking industry -- light and medium duty fleets up through over-the-road truckload, less-than-truckload, and private fleet operations Also be sure to visit Sean's blog Trucks at Work where he offers analysis on a variety of different topics inside the trucking industry.

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