California’s 2023 Christmas Tree Arriving at State Capitol Tuesday, October 31

MEDIA ADVISORY

California’s 2023 Christmas Tree Arriving at State Capitol Tuesday, October 31

Christmas tree donated by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

What: Delivery of the state’s official Christmas tree

When/Where: Tree harvest on MONDAY, October 30.

Transport and arrival at the State Capitol: Approx. between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., TUESDAY, October 31, 2023.

Media interested in covering the tree cutting must meet at the Whitmore CAL FIRE Station (11787 Ponderosa Way, Whitmore, CA 96096) NO LATER THAN 8:30 a.m. to be escorted through the forest. A map is provided below should you choose not to be escorted.

The tree will be donated by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and will be harvested from the LaTour Demonstration State Forest and transported to the west lawn of the State Capitol in Sacramento. CAL FIRE will transport the tree down Interstate 5 and will then proceed to the State Capitol. The tree will be placed on the west lawn of Capitol Park (10th Street between N and L Streets).                 

Summary:

On Monday, October 30, a tree crew from the California Department of General Services (DGS) will harvest the state’s official Christmas tree from LaTour Demonstration State Forest and will prepare the tree for transport. The tree will be transported the next day from Redding to the west lawn of the State Capitol in Sacramento. Once installation of the approximately 60-foot red fir at the Capitol is completed, DGS crews will spend several days trimming the tree with nearly 200 hand-crafted ornaments donated by the California Department of Developmental Services. The ornaments are created by children and adults with developmental disabilities who receive services and support from the state’s development centers and 21 nonprofit regional centers. The tree will also feature 10,000 LED lights.

Directions to the tree harvest: Follow the yellow line from Bateman Road. Arrows will be posted on the way up from Whitmore Road.

The LaTour Demonstration State Forest is one of 15 state forests operated by CAL FIRE. These

forests are used to host research projects and demonstrate improved forest management practices, from timber production and environmental stewardship to public recreation uses. The 9,033 acres that make up LaTour State Forest are in eastern Shasta County and offer public recreation activities such as camping, hiking, and the opportunity to cut a Christmas tree. Permits or more information may be obtained by calling the LaTour State Demonstration Forest at (530) 225-2418.

DGS serves the public by providing a variety of services to state agencies through procurement and acquisition solutions; real estate management and design; environmentally friendly transportation; professional printing, design and web services; administrative hearings; legal services; building standards; oversight of structural safety, fire/life safety and accessibility for the design and construction of K-12 public schools and community colleges; funding for school construction; and disability access.