It’s almost time for the annual harvest of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree and the subsequent cross-country tour as the tree is hauled to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
The 2025 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will be harvested from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada. To recognize the tree’s origin, the Kenworth T680 hauling the tree features a wrap celebrating the “Spirit of the Silver State” with a background of the sunset overlooking Nevada’s National Forest. 
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree tour will officially begin on Nov. 1 with a celebration at the Nevada Day Parade in Carson City. From there, well-wishers along the nearly 3,000-mile journey will have an opportunity to view the 53-foot red fir affectionately nicknamed “Silver Belle” on its extra-long trailer, sign banners attached to each side, learn about Nevada’s National Forests and enjoy the holiday spirit in communities along the way. The tour will conclude Nov. 20 when it is delivered to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building, where Congressional representatives may or may not remain at odds over funding into this fiscal year -- as of this writing, the government has continued in shutdown mode for the entirety of October.
Key attraction for the kiddos and adults alike along the tour: Opportunity to sign tarping over the trailer, as shown here at a stop on the 2019 tour in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
The T680 pulling this year’s tree is equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the Paccar Powertrain featuring the Paccar MX-13, Paccar TX-12 automated transmission and Paccar DX-40 tandem rear axles. The rig features a Diamond VIT interior in slate gray with madrona accents and includes the latest in driver amenities. Both the driver and passenger seats are GT703 Ultraleather seats that are fully heated and cooled. The sleeper includes space for a microwave and TV, a factory-installed fridge, and a rotating work table.
The T680 also includes the latest in driver assistance systems, including Kenworth's DigitalVision Mirrors, Bendix Fusion Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Stop and Auto Go, and Lane Keeping Assist with Torque Assisted Steering.
For the second year, real-time GPS location tracking of the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree will be provided by Kenworth’s TruckTech+ connected truck technology. Starting Nov. 1, the tree’s journey can be tracked via an interactive map on the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree website.
Hauling the tree this year will be Knight-Swift (CCJ Top 250, No. 3) truck driver Michael Porter, based out of Swift Transportation’s Phoenix, Arizona, terminal. Knight-Swift will haul the tree, while Southwest Airlines will help transport thousands of handmade ornaments created by Nevadans.
The public schedule for the 2025 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour:
- Saturday, Nov. 1: Nevada Day Parade/Carson City, Nevada
- Sunday, Nov. 2: Lovelock and Elko, Nevada
- Monday, Nov. 3: Ely, Nevada
- Tuesday, Nov. 4: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Friday, Nov. 7: Flagstaff, Arizona
- Saturday, Nov. 8: Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Sunday, Nov. 9: Amarillo, Texas
- Monday, Nov. 10: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Tuesday, Nov. 11: Lenexa, Kansas
- Wednesday, Nov. 12: St. Louis, Missouri
- Friday, Nov. 14: Paducah, Kentucky
- Saturday, Nov. 15: Lexington, Kentucky
- Thursday, Nov. 20: Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (*base access only)
In early December, a tree lighting ceremony will take place, hosted by the Architect of the Capitol in coordination with the U.S. Speaker of the House.
