J. J. Keller Ensures Safe Passage for the 2025 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

October 20, 2025

J. J. Keller is proud to provide DOT trip permitting for the safe journey of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, “Silver Belle,” from Nevada’s Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol this year. This effort is in partnership with the USDA Forest Service and the Society of American Foresters. The Society of American Foresters contacted J. J. Keller in September for assistance with the DOT permitting that is required to move the unique load along the nation’s roadways.

“Our Permits Team is honored to guide the tree and truck through 10 states and 18 whistlestop appearances,” says Mark Siebenaller, Vice President of Service Operations for J. J. Keller Permits Service. “We’re proud to help ensure safe transport of this national symbol.”

"It is wonderful that our team can be a part of the U.S. Capital Christmas Tree project," said Jolie Landrum, Associate Director of Services Delivery for J. J. Keller Permits Service. "The Permit Team helps drivers ensure that almost 100,000 loads are legally and safely transported every year. I am super proud and excited that our team will also be a part of transporting Christmas Joy and Spirit from Nevada to our Nation’s Capital this Holiday Season."

Presley Biggs, Service Delivery Manager for J. J. Keller Permits Service, began working on the trip details as soon as J. J. Keller was contacted by the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree organizers: “This project means a lot to me and to our team. There’s something really moving about knowing our work helps this symbol of the holidays reach communities along the way. We handle permits every day, but this one carries a little extra magic."

The 53-foot red fir will be harvested in late October and travel through cities including Carson City, Nevada; Lovelock and Elko, Nevada; Ely, Nevada; Las Vegas, Nevada; Flagstaff, Arizona; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Amarillo, Texas; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Lenexa, Kansas; St. Louis, Missouri; Paducah, Kentucky; Lexington, Kentucky; and Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. The tree lighting ceremony will take place in early December.

About the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative is a 55-year tradition in which one of our 154 national forests provides a tree for the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. The project is made possible with support from partners, including The Society of American Foresters, cash and in-kind contributions from large and small businesses, and volunteers locally and across America. For a list of 2025 sponsors and to join in the Christmas spirit, you can visit U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree and follow @uscapitolchristmastree on Facebook and Instagram.