Minnesota White Spruce to Hit Road to US Capitol

CASS LAKE (AP) - A white spruce from north-central Minnesota is about to hit the road to Washington where it will become the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree.

The 88-foot-tall tree from the Chippewa National Forest was cut down Wednesday.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar spoke at the tree cutting ceremony. She called it "a proud day for Minnesota" and said the tree is "a shining example" of Minnesota's natural beauty.

Minnesota is providing the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree for the first time in 20 years.

The tree first goes to Bemidji State University where it will be wrapped for its journey. The tree will make 30 stops in local communities before it arrives in Washington and is lit in early December.