JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is a secret no more.
The 67-foot Engelmann spruce has been cut down and carefully loaded onto a flatbed trailer in western Wyoming. Next up: a tour of Wyoming that begins Wednesday, followed by a cross-country trip to Washington, D.C.
A lighting ceremony in front of the Capitol is scheduled for Dec. 7.
Saturday's operation involved positioning two cranes and special mats around the big tree in Bridger-Teton National Forest. Then came the chain saw.
A small crowd watched the spectacle.
The U.S. Capitol's grounds superintendent chose the tree in July, but its location was kept secret until the cutting ceremony.
By nightfall Saturday, the tree had been transported to nearby Jackson, where hundreds turned out to see the stately pine.
Wyoming residents have donated more than 5,000 ornaments to decorate the tree.
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Online:
http://www.capitolchristmastree2010.org/
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Information from: Casper Star-Tribune - Casper, http://www.trib.com
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