Capitol Christmas Tree Trees Trees

| Year_ | Species | Height | Location_grown | State_ | Notes_ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | White Spruce | 72 feet (22 m) | Ottawa National Forest | Michigan | Known as The Tree of Hope, the tree was lit by Dennis Hastert at 5 pm on December 11 in a ceremony on the West Front Lawn of the Capitol. The tree was hand picked by Architect of the Capitol landscape architect Matthew Evans on June 25 and was approximately 70 years old and weighted 4,000 pounds (1.8 t). Harvested in mid November, the tree arrived at the Capitol at 10 am on December 2 and was subsequently decorated with some 6,000 ornaments crafted and donated by the people of Michigan along with 10,000 blue, amber, and clear lights. The tree remained lit from dusk to midnight each night through January 2, 2002. |
| 2000 | Colorado Blue Spruce | 65 feet (20 m) | Pike National Forest | Colorado | Selected by Architect of the Capitol landscape architect Matthew Evans in the summer of 2000, the tree was transported to the Capitol on a 64 foot flatbed truck driven by Colorado Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell and decorated to look like a Conestoga wagon; the tree arrived at the Capitol around 10 am on December 4. The tree was lit by Dennis Hastert at 5:30 pm on December 12 in a ceremony including performances by the Summit Choral Society, a section of the United States Air Force Band, and the Congressional Chorus. Some 6,400 ornaments made by school children from all of Colorado`s 64 districts adorned the tree along with 10,000 blue, white, and amber lights. The tree remained lit from 5 pm to midnight each night through January 2, 2001. |