National Christmas Tree cut down today in Arizona- Where to see it on tour before it heads to DC

November 7, 9:52 AMPhoenix Western US Travel ExaminerAngele Sionna

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Phoenix Western US Travel Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

AP Photo/Felicia Fonseca from July 15, 2009

Today the National Christmas Tree is being cut down in northeastern Arizona. This is the first time the National Christmas Tree has come from Arizona.

The tree will come from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in the White Mountains near Alpine (see map below).

The tree is an 85-foot blue spruce- taller than a seven-story building- weighing in at 7000 pounds.

It will go on a statewide tour before arriving in Washington, DC on November 30.

Map courtesy: Maps.Yahoo.com (Click to enlarge)

According to the Associated Press,  "Arizonans won't be able to see the tree in its entirety during the statewide tour that will include about 25 stops. Its branches will be pulled in and bound, and the tree will be encased in a vinyl cover to protect it from road salts, oils and freezing weather... Arizonans can peek through a window of the lighted case and see the top of the tree."

The tour of the tree starts next week and will include parades and Christmas caroling. AZTrees.org is reporting the following schedule for stops on the tour:

• Nov. 10- Pinetop/Lakeside, Show Low, Payson
• Nov. 11- Fountain Hills, Prescott
• Nov. 12- Peoria, Glendale, Phoenix
• Nov. 13- Mesa, Apache Junction, Florence
• Nov. 14- Tucson, Bisbee
• Nov. 15- Sierra Vista, Yuma
• Nov. 16- Yuma, Lake Havasu City, Kingman
• Nov. 17- Williams, Grand Canyon, Flagstaff
• Nov. 18- Winslow, Second Mesa
• Nov. 19- Window Rock, Holbrook

According to AZTrees.org "There will also be a number of smaller companion trees, a few from each National Forest in AZ, supplied for various offices and meeting halls throughout the nation’s Capitol." AZTrees.org reports the Kaibab National Forest will cut their companion trees on November 13 and the Coconino National Forest will cut theirs on November 14. These will be stored in Flagstaff until November 17 when they'll be shipped to the Capitol.

The tree will be set up in at President's Park on the White House grounds in Washington, DC and lit on December 3 at 5pm ET. You can watch it live on the web at that time HERE. Find out more about the lighting of the tree at TheNationalTree.org and more on other activites involving the National Christmas Tree program at NPS.gov.