Smithfield tree farm 鈥榮pruces up鈥� Capitol with holiday trees
Quarter Pine Tree Farm in Smithfield, in partnership with the Society of American Foresters and 84 Lumber, sent 84 Christmas trees to the nation鈥檚 capital this week to provide service members stationed at Joint Base Andrews and offices throughout Washington, D.C., with a little holiday spirit.
鈥淚 am delighted to support the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative, which provides the opportunity to celebrate the spirit of the season and the forests that connect us all,鈥� said Jim Rockis, owner and founder of Quarter Pine Tree Farm. 鈥淭o help provide the companion trees is an honor.鈥�
Maggie Hardy, owner and CEO of 84 Lumber, said the organization was proud to be a sponsor and help transport and provide trees for the holiday tradition.
鈥淭he People鈥檚 Tree is a national treasure, and 84 Lumber and our associates nationwide are proud to help bring the tree to Washington, D.C., to be enjoyed by everyone,鈥� Hardy said.
The tradition of the Capitol Christmas Tree, or 鈥淭he People鈥檚 Tree,鈥� began in 1964 when Speaker of the House John W. McCormack placed a live Christmas tree on the Capitol lawn. This tree lived three years before succumbing to wind and root damage.
Since 1970, the U.S. the Forest Service has provided a Christmas tree from a different national forest each year. In 1973, a White Spruce from Allegheny National forest was chosen and last year a Norway Spruce from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia was selected to be the 鈥淧eople鈥檚 Tree.鈥�
This year, an 80-foot Sitka Spruce harvested out of Tongass National Forest in Alaska was chosen as the 鈥淧eople鈥檚 Tree鈥� and will be joined from trees all over the country, including from Quarter Pine Tree Farm to spread yuletide cheer.
鈥淭he annual journey is only possible with the help of strong community partnerships throughout Alaska and beyond state lines,鈥� said Terry Baker, president of the Society of American Foresters. 鈥淲e鈥檙e grateful for the time and resources Quarter Pine Tree Farm provides to help make this the best year yet.鈥�