2026 Capitol Christmas Tree Travels 3,000 Miles with Boise Cascade

Boise Cascade Will Haul the 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Nearly 3,000 Miles from Idaho to Washington, D.C.

Nearly 3,000 miles. That is the distance the 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will travel from its harvest site in Idaho’s Lochsa-Powell District of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, a cross-country journey that will carry the tree through communities from the Northern Rockies to the nation’s capital. Woodworking Network reported that Boise Cascade, the Idaho-based wood products company, has been selected to make that haul, a job that puts one of the country’s most visible holiday symbols in the hands of a carrier whose drivers log those miles every working day.

The selection matters well beyond the novelty of the cargo. The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative is a decades-long tradition in which one of 154 national forests supplies a tree for the Capitol grounds each holiday season, and Woodworking Network reported that Boise Cascade was chosen at the recommendation of Kenworth Truck Company, a long-standing sponsor of the program. The company said the pick reflected Boise Cascade’s transportation expertise, its strong safety record, and its Idaho roots, the same state the 2026 tree will come from.

2026 US Capitol Christmas Tree begins journey from North Idaho to DC

Four drivers, more than 100 years of experience

The people actually behind the wheel are Monte Cook of Spokane, Washington; Phillip Cramer of Billings, Montana; Fred Holmes of Spokane, Washington; and Tianne Larrimer of Houston, Texas. Together, they bring more than 100 years of driving experience to the route, and each pairs that tenure with what the company describes as a reputation for professionalism and service. They will lead what is known as the People’s Tree across the country, stopping in communities along the way to share the holiday spirit from Idaho all the way to Washington, D.C.

“At Boise Cascade, we haul wood products every day, but transporting the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is a very special delivery,” said Jeff Strom, CEO of Boise Cascade. “This tree will carry the spirit of Idaho nearly 3,000 miles to Washington, D.C., bringing communities together along the way. I’m especially proud of our drivers, who are taking on this incredible responsibility with the skill, professionalism, and dedication they bring to their work every day.”

The truck, the ornaments, and the partner roster

The tree will ride on a Kenworth T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and a full body wrap, outfitted with the latest PACCAR powertrain, driver-assistance systems, and driver amenities. Alaska Airlines will handle a separate but equally symbolic load: thousands of handmade ornaments created by Idahoans for the tree. Presenting sponsor Idaho Forest Group is joined by a wide partner list that includes Arrow Tool Group, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc., Project Learning Tree, GS-JJ, and Tyler Technologies, among others. Anyone who wants to follow the route stop by stop can do so at uscapitolchristmastree.com.

A conflicting headline out of Idaho

Idaho’s 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is slated for harvest from the Lochsa-Powell District and transport by Boise Cascade to Washington, D.C.

One tree, 154 forests, decades of tradition

For decades, one of the nation’s 154 national forests has provided the Capitol’s holiday tree, with the project sustained by the nonprofit Society of American Foresters, cash and in-kind contributions from companies of all sizes, and volunteers across the country. The full sponsor list and social channels are posted at www.uscapitolchristmastree.com, alongside Facebook and Instagram accounts under @uscapitolchristmastree. In a season where holiday logistics often stay invisible, this year’s tree will be anything but, rolling nearly 3,000 miles with a crew whose combined century of experience is now hitched to the country’s most famous front lawn.