"Every year since 1970 a different National Forest has been selected to provide the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree. This year it's an 88-foot tall white spruce from Chippewa National Forest. We also allow visitors to harvest their own Christmas trees. All you need to do is stop by one of our ranger stations and get a $5 tree permit. You want to look for something tall, straight and full of needles — the same things we looked for in providing the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree. And you don't want any birds' or animals' nests in there; you don't want to take anyone's home out of the woods. The tree species we recommend are spruce, balsam fir and red pine."

Mike Theune, public affairs officer, Chippewa National Forest. More information: 1-218-335-8600