US Capitol Christmas Tree Photo Gallery

A look at the specially decorated Kenworth T680 used for transporting the tree. (James Edward Mills)

The crew gets ready to load the tree onto the Hale trailer. (James Edward Mills)

Apex Transportation drivers Theron Schmalzried and William "Butch" Hanna discuss the project. (James Edward Mills)

The tree is loaded onto a special platform on the back of the Hale trailer. (James Edward Mills)

Apex Transportation driver Theron Schmalzried hangs out in the truck. (James Edward Mills)

Apex Transportation drivers Theron Schmalzried (left) and William "Butch" Hanna stand in front of the truck. (James Edward Mills)

Apex Transportation driver William "Butch" Hanna stands in front of the truck. (James Edward Mills)

Apex Transportation driver William "Butch" Hanna sits in the truck. (James Edward Mills)

Apex Transportation drivers William "Butch" Hanna (left) and Theron Schmalzried. (James Edward Mills)

The tree is transported out of the forest. The trip across the country to Washington, D.C., is about 2,000 miles. (James Edward Mills)

The truck hauls the tree out of the forest with snow visible on the ground. (James Edward Mills)

The tree is transported out of the Uncompahgre National Forest. (James Edward Mills)

The Capitol Christmas Tree makes a scheduled stop in Norwood, Colo., on Nov. 10. (James Edward Mills)

The Capitol Christmas Tree makes a scheduled stop in Norwood, Colo., on Nov. 10. (James Edward Mills)

Apex Transportation driver William "Butch" Hanna has some fun with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus at the stop in Norwood, Colo., on Nov. 10. (James Edward Mills)

People sign the Kenworth truck hauling the Capitol Christmas Tree at the stop in Norwood, Colo., on Nov. 10. (James Edward Mills)

People get their picture taken with the Kenworth truck transporting the Capitol Christmas Tree at the stop in Norwood, Colo., on Nov. 10. (James Edward Mills)

The Capitol Christmas Tree makes a stop in Ouray, Colo., on Nov. 11. (James Edward Mills)

The truck and tree make a scheduled stop in Ouray, Colo., on Nov. 11. (James Edward Mills)

Crowds gather around the truck and Capitol Christmas Tree at the stop in Ouray, Colo., on Nov. 11. (James Edward Mills)

Children gather in front of the truck in Ouray, Colo., on Nov. 11. (James Edward Mills)

Musician Chuck Leavell (from left), Apex Transportation President Walt Schattinger and Apex driver William "Butch" Hanna at the stop in Ouray, Colo., on Nov. 11. (James Edward Mills)

People pose with the truck at a stop in Gunnison, Colo., on Nov. 12. (James Edward Mills)

People pose with the truck at the stop in Gunnison, Colo., on Nov. 12. (James Edward Mills)

Children play in a band at the stop in Gunnison, Colo., on Nov. 12. (James Edward Mills)

A choir sings at the stop in Gunnison, Colo., on Nov. 12. (James Edward Mills)

The Kenworth T680 driven by Apex Transportation's William "Butch" Hanna and carrying the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree arrives in Paonia, Colo., on Nov. 12. (James Edward Mills)

Santa Claus waves in front of the truck at the stop in Paonia, Colo., on Nov. 12. (James Edward Mills)

People pose in front of the truck at the stop in Paonia, Colo., on Nov. 12. (James Edward Mills)

Children play in a band at the stop in Paonia, Colo., on Nov. 12. (James Edward Mills)

The truck arrives at a scheduled stop in Salida, Colo., on Nov. 13. (James Edward Mills)

A pair of dogs check out the action at the Capitol Christmas Tree's stop in Salida, Colo., on Nov. 13. (James Edward Mills)

Two children get in the Christmas spirit at the truck's stop in Salida, Colo., on Nov. 13. (James Edward Mills)

People get their picture taken in front of the truck at the stop in Salida, Colo., on Nov. 13. (James Edward Mills)

The Capitol Christmas Tree makes a scheduled stop at a Bass Pro Shops location in Denver on Nov. 14. (James Edward Mills)

People get their picture taken in front of the truck in Denver on Nov. 14. (James Edward Mills)

People get their picture taken in front of the truck in Denver on Nov. 14. (James Edward Mills)

With members of the U.S. Forest Service looking on, the Capitol Christmas Tree arrives at the final scheduled Colorado stop in Burlington on Nov. 15. (James Edward Mills)

The Capitol Christmas Tree arrives at its final destination in Colorado, Burlington, on Nov. 15. (James Edward Mills)

The Capitol Christmas Tree heads east, leaving the state of Colorado on Nov. 15. (James Edward Mills)

After a nearly 2,000-mile trek across the United States that began Nov. 10, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree arrived safely at the Capitol's West Lawn in the early morning hours of Nov. 20. (Paul Feenstra)

After a nearly 2,000-mile trek across the United States that began Nov. 10, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree arrived safely at the Capitol's West Lawn in the early morning hours of Nov. 20. (Paul Feenstra)

After a nearly 2,000-mile trek across the United States that began Nov. 10, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree arrived safely at the Capitol's West Lawn in the early morning hours of Nov. 20. (Paul Feenstra)

After a nearly 2,000-mile trek across the United States that began Nov. 10, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree arrived safely at the Capitol's West Lawn in the early morning hours of Nov. 20. (Paul Feenstra)

After a nearly 2,000-mile trek across the United States that began Nov. 10, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree arrived safely at the Capitol's West Lawn in the early morning hours of Nov. 20. (Paul Feenstra)

After a nearly 2,000-mile trek across the United States that began Nov. 10, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree arrived safely at the Capitol's West Lawn in the early morning hours of Nov. 20. (Paul Feenstra)

After a nearly 2,000-mile trek across the United States that began Nov. 10, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree arrived safely at the Capitol's West Lawn in the early morning hours of Nov. 20. (Paul Feenstra)

After a nearly 2,000-mile trek across the United States that began Nov. 10, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree arrived safely at the Capitol's West Lawn in the early morning hours of Nov. 20. (Paul Feenstra)

After a nearly 2,000-mile trek across the United States that began Nov. 10, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree arrived safely at the Capitol's West Lawn in the early morning hours of Nov. 20. Here, the tree gets lifted from the trailer. (Paul Feenstra)

Apex Transportation President Walt Schattinger (from left), Apex Field Supervisor Glenn McCormack and Apex truck driver Theron Schmalzried stand in front of the truck and tree at the Capitol on Nov. 20 in Washington. (Paul Feenstra)

Apex Transportation truck driver Theron Schmalzried (from left), Apex Safety/HR Risk Officer Dennis Atencio, Apex President Walt Schattinger and Apex Field Supervisor Glenn McCormack stand in front of the truck and tree at the Capitol on Nov. 20 in Washington. (Paul Feenstra)

The tree-lighting ceremony Dec. 2. (Paul Feenstra)

The tree-lighting ceremony Dec. 2. (Paul Feenstra)

The tree-lighting ceremony Dec. 2. (James Edward Mills)

The tree stands lit in front of the Capitol on Dec. 2. (Paul Feenstra)

The tree stands lit in front of the Capitol on Dec. 2. (James Edward Mills)

The tree stands lit in front of the Capitol on Dec. 2. (Paul Feenstra)

The tree stands lit in front of the Capitol on Dec. 2. (Paul Feenstra)