2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Selected on Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest’s Salmon River Ranger District

uSCCT tree

2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Selected on Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest’s Salmon River Ranger District

(Kamiah, ID, August 13, 2026) —The 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree has been selected on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.  The tree, which will stand in front of the Nation’s Capitol in Washington, D.C., is an 80-foot tall grand fir located on the Salmon River Ranger District. 

“America’s national forests are one of our country’s greatest treasures, and this Christmas, a beautiful grand fir from Idaho’s Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests will stand proudly at the U.S. Capitol for the entire nation to enjoy,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “This special tradition showcases the beauty of our forests, the incredible work of our U.S. Forest Service employees, and the communities that help bring The People’s Tree from the forest to our nation’s capital. I look forward to watching Idaho share a little piece of the Gem State with Americans across the country as this tree makes its journey to Washington.”

Jim Kaufmann, Executive Director of Capitol Grounds and Arboretum at the Architect of the Capitol, selected the tree during a weeklong visit to the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.  Narrowed down from over 60 candidate trees identified by Forest Service employees, Mr. Kaufmann toured a dozen trees during the visit– ultimately selecting the grand fir on the Salmon River Ranger District.

“The honor of selecting the People’s Tree is a time-honored tradition between the Architect of the Capitol’s office and the U.S. Forest Service, and that partnership was on full display during my visit amongst the grand landscapes of north-central Idaho,” said Jim Kaufmann, executive director of Capitol Grounds and Arboretum at the Architect of the Capitol. “This grand fir stood out for its perfect form and full shape; and we can’t wait to welcome its arrival to the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol.”

Grand fir (Abies grandis) is found on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests on mesic sites and across Northern Idaho and west of the Cascade Range in Washington, Oregon and California.  Without disturbance, grand fir expands in range and often can be seen in the understory of other early seral tree species.  When grown in open conditions it grows dense uniform branches making it an ideal Christmas Tree.

The Salmon River Ranger District spans 536,000 acres on the Southwest end of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.  Exemplifying this year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree theme, “over the rivers and through the woods” the Salmon River Ranger District includes parts of the Salmon River and South Fork Clearwater River drainages and spans vast areas of diverse landscapes from grasslands on the Salmon River breaks to productive forests to mountain peaks in the Gospel Hump Wilderness. 

Jon Word, Forest Supervisor on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests remarked, “The Forest appreciates the opportunity to work with the Architect of the Capitol’s Office in selecting the 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.  Showcasing our great Forest to Mr. Kauffman was an extraordinary week and we took the opportunity to showcase the people, diverse landscapes, communities and partners of the Nez Perce-Clearwater and highlight our strong relationship with the Nez Perce Tribe.  Ultimately, a perfect tree was selected and we are honored to share this tree with the Nation this Christmas.”

To protect the tree, its precise location will remain confidential until the harvest in late October. The project team will then prepare the tree for its whistle-stop tour through Idaho and across the country to our nation’s capital.  The Forest Service will share information about the harvest celebration and the whistle-stop events when plans are set.   

Prior to the tree-lighting ceremony in Washington, D.C., in early December, the Architect of the Capitol’s team will decorate the tree with thousands of handcrafted ornaments made by Idaho residents. For information on how to make an ornament, visit www.uscapitolchristmastree.com.  

About the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree 

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative is a 56-year tradition in which one of America’s 154 national forests provides a tree for the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. The project is made possible with support from partners including the Society of American Foresters and the Nez Perce Tribe, along with contributions from companies and volunteers across America. 

We invite the public to follow the 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree project: 

To learn more about the history of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, visit www.aoc.gov/what-we-do/programs-ceremonies/capitol-christmas-tree. Follow along at www.uscapitolchristmastree.com. 

About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.  

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