Invitation to Create Tree Skirts for the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Initiative

The Monongahela National Forest is looking for help from groups and individuals to provide some of the dozens of tree skirts that will be needed as part of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative. In addition to providing the 70 to 80-foot tree, coming from the Monongahela National Forest this year, that will be displayed on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol this holiday season, smaller trees will also be provided to federal offices in Washington, D.C., along with ornaments and tree skirts.

Here are the guidelines for the tree skirts:

• Make skirts out of any durable material.
• Aim for a 5-foot diameter skirt.
• Include an opening in center for the trunk.
• Include a slit to allow skirt to circle the trunk. Design the skirt to overlap in the back or include ribbon ties, snaps, buttons, or Velcro as closures.
• Stitch, write, or attach your name, name of group, and home county to the back of the tree skirt.
• Include a note with the names and mailing addresses of those who contributed.
• Tree skirts cannot include commercial logos or be divisive or offensive.
• Tree skirts cannot be returned.

This year’s theme for the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree is “Endlessly Wild and Wonderful”. With that in mind consider creating a tree skirt with a theme celebrating West Virginia such as:

• Appalachian Culture – West Virginia Style
• Famous West Virginians
• Iconic Spots in West Virginia and Monongahela National Forest
• Multiple uses of National Forests
• Outdoor recreation
• Plants, animals, and habitats of West Virginia
• Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl
• State Symbols (https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Educational/Kids_Page/symbols.cfm)
• Unique West Virginia foods
• West Virginia History

Completed tree skirts may be dropped off at any Monongahela National Forest office or mailed to: Gauley Ranger Station, 932 North Fork Cherry Road, Richwood, WV 26261. For more information contact Rosanna Springston at (304) 846-2695 or rosanna.springston@usda.gov.

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative is made possible through a partnership with Choose Outdoors; support from the presenting sponsor, 84 Lumber; contributions from companies large and small; and help from volunteers both locally and across America.

Follow along on social media:

• https://www.uscapitolchristmastree.com
• https://www.facebook.com/USCapitolChristmasTree
• https://www.facebook.com/MonongahelaNF
• Twitter: @USCapitolTree
• Instagram: @uscapitolchristmastree