Truckin’ Around the Capitol Christmas Tree – A Recap

Truckin’ Around the Capitol Christmas Tree – A Recap

By SkyBitz • Published November 7, 2017 • 5 minute read

Have you ever wondered where the U.S. Capitol Building gets its Christmas tree and how it comes to town? SkyBitz recently helped track the cross-country journey of the 2017 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from Montana to D.C.

The tree hitched a ride on a truck bed fitted with three SkyBitz trailer tracking devices, which transmitted signals communicating its location every five minutes. Followers could Track The Tree on the SkyBitz website and social media channels for festive fun as it traveled more than 3,500 miles and stopped in 21 towns.

Watching the Engelmann Spruce tree’s journey certainly got some people in the holiday spirit. It also made us think about all the items we wish we could locate like:

  • Santa’s sleigh and his reindeer
  • Keys
  • Remote controls
  • All of the left socks to go with the right socks

Of course, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree isn’t the only thing you can keep tabs on with technology. SkyBitz regularly helps businesses get real-time visibility of trailers and intermodal containers. Using SkyBitz, you can see the locations of the following (and more!) on demand:

  • Leased trucks or trailers
  • Rented equipment
  • Owned trailers
  • Vehicle fleets
  • Assets
  • Intermodal containers
  • Cargo

Capitol Christmas Tree Twitter Roundup

Throughout the tree’s journey, SkyBitz tweeted updates about its location and counted down to its D.C. lighting ceremony. You can get a bird’s eye view and experience the tree’s roadtrip in our Twitter roundup below!

  1. The 79-foot-tall tree started its journey from the Kootenai National Forest in northwest Montana. 2017 is the 10th consecutive year that SkyBitz has tracked the Capitol tree.

  1. The tree eventually shipped off toward its first destination in Eureka, MT.

  1. Some industry news publications, like Fleet News Daily, wrote about the tree’s annual journey along the way.

  1. A local newspaper wrote about a Bozeman, MT boy who was selected to light the tree at the outdoor ceremony in D.C. on Dec. 6.

  1. The tree was loaded onto a truck bed outfitted with three SkyBitz devices that transmitted location signals so people could follow its trek.

  1. The tree arrived at its first location in Eureka, MT and made several additional stops in Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri, Kentucky, and Maryland.

  1. Twitter followers were excited to count down the days to the tree lighting and see the tree on its way from Montana to D.C.

  1. After stopping in several locations, the tree arrived in Paducah, KY just before Thanksgiving.

  1. The tree made its arrival in D.C. after more than 3,500 miles of travel.

  1. Followers were able to view the entire multi-state journey online.

  1. People gathered at the Capitol Christmas tree for the official lighting ceremony in D.C. on Dec. 6.

  1. The lit tree illuminated the U.S. Capitol Building’s west lawn in Washington D.C.

What another great Track the Tree adventure it’s been! Maybe next year we will figure out how to track Santa and his sleigh. Until then, Happy Holidays!”

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