Vermont to provide 2007 U.S. Capitol tree

BENNINGTON, Vt. --Vermont will provide the holiday tree for the U.S. Capitol next year, the fourth time since 1964.

The tree and a dozen smaller evergreens to be placed around the Capitol will be cut from the 400,000-acre Green Mountain National Forest in Bennington County.

Several possible sites have been located to search for the tree, said Forest Supervisor Meg Mitchell. The locations are top secret, she said.

The final tree won't be selected until the spring by the Capitol's landscape architect.

The tree, which differs from the White House tree, came from Vermont in 1964, 1980 and 1994. Next year's tree coincides with the 75th anniversary of Vermont's national forest.

"We're trying to get people from across the state to have a vested interest in sending the tree," said organizer Joann Erenhouse.

A Bennington committee is organizing antique Mack trucks to haul the trees, getting residents and schoolchildren to create ornaments and organizing a reception and other events.

"We plan to do it real Vermont-style," Erenhouse said. "We're looking to bring the flavor of Vermont to the nation."

The effort is expected to cost approximately $90,000, including gas, lodging, food for volunteers, memorabilia and other costs.

"Making this is truly a gift from our state to the entire nation," Erenhouse said.

Other states have spent far more to provide a tree. Virginia spent about $647,000 in 2004 and Michigan which spent about $1.1 million in 2002.

The Forest Service will create a Web site about the tree but "the great and vast majority of the work is done by volunteers, chambers of commerce and private citizens," Mitchell said.

"It's a big tourism event for Vermont and it helps put Vermont on the map."

Central Vermont Public Service Corp. will participate as it has in the past, said CVPS spokesman Steve Costello.

A CVPS two-track vehicle and line vehicles will be used to hold the tree upright while it is being cut, he said.