Copyright ©2025 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
PLEASE DO NOT USE MY IMAGES WITHOUT EXPRESSED WRITTEN PERMISSION.
This year for the first time in Nevada’s history a tree from The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will be traveling to Washington, D.C, and the United States Capitol Building to be The People’s Tree aka The National Christmas Tree.
The tree is named “Silver Belle”. She’s 53 feet tall (1.615.44 cm) and it’s a Red Fir tree.
After she was harvested she was taken to get ready for her journey across the country. There she was decorated, and placed in a special trailer that will be driven to Washington, D.C. She made her first stop in Carson City on November 1, 2025 in the Nevada Day Parade. There are windows so you can see just the top of the tree.
The Christmas Tree logo was designed by Stan Can Design of Reno, NV
Since early summer Nevadans have been making ornaments for National Christmas Tree. I heard the call was made for 10,000 ornaments, and Nevada delivered and more! The extra ornaments will be used on companion trees that will be placed in other Federal Buildings.
While getting the National Christmas Tree ready they made a tree cookie and discovered the tree is 50 years old, has a 20 inch diameter, and 16 inch crown spread.
Fun Facts about “Silver Belle” the People’s Tree.
After the National Christmas Tree left the parade the truck and National Forest Park Rangers made their way down the street to the Toyota Dealership where the tree was on display for 3 hours. We were able to sign the banner, take photos, and see Smokey the Bear.
I signed the banner.
A tree skirt depicting all 17 Nevada counties was made. I have to show you in four parts as it’s so large and not laying flat.
I have several favorite panels on the tree skirt. Douglas, of course it’s my county, and it’s full of stars. I also like Eureka, Pershing, and Washoe’s panels a lot. I’m not sure if this will be on the lawn under the tree or in a building under one of the companion trees? Most likely indoors.
The truck and National Christmas Tree will be making its way across the country making 13 stops along the way. You can sign the banner, buy official U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree merch, take loads of photos, and learn more about Nevada’s National forest. Here’s the list of scheduled stops.
Saturday, Nov. 1- Nevada Day Parade, Carson City, Nevada
Sunday, Nov. 2- Lovelock, and Elko, Nevada
Monday, Nov. 3- Ely, Nevada
Tuesday, Nov. 4- Las Vegas, Nevada
Friday, Nov. 7- Flagstaff, Arizona
Saturday, Nov. 8- Albuquerque, New Mexico
Sunday, Nov. 9- Amarillo, Texas
Monday, Nov. 10- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Tuesday, Nov. 11- Lenexa, Kansas
Wednesday, Nov. 12- St. Louis, Missouri
Friday, Nov. 14- Paducah, Kentucky
Saturday, Nov. 15- Lexington, Kentucky
Thursday, Nov. 20- Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative began in 1964. One of the 154 national forests provide a tree to serve as the Nation’s Christmas Tree.
This is the first time in the program’s history that a tree has been selected from the Humboldt-Toyabe forest.
It’s pretty neat that Nevada was chosen this year and I was able to see it and be there for its first leg of the historic journey to Washington, D.C.
If you’re near or in one of the cities it will stop I hope you are able to see it too. All events are free and open to the public.
Notes- It’s really cool that the National Park Service worked so hard during the shutdown to make sure the National Christmas Tree got to the West Lawn.
I blurred the faces of a lot people in the background of several images because there were kids, and people who may not want to be included in my blog post. I hope you didn’t find it too distracting.
Information gleaned from the Official 2025 Nevada Day Program| NevadaDay.com
Have a great week-end!
more to come…
Circadianreflections Blog 
Based on all of the effort the state and its residents obviously put into this, Nevada should be providing the tree much more often in the years to come. Great job by all involved.
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They really did do a fantastic job. I hope Nevada is selected again not too, too far into the future. It would be neat to see it happen again in my lifetime. 😊
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Wow!! So cool that Nevada was chosen for the tree at the Capitol! I am impressed with the tree skirt. It is a work of art!
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Wow! What a great post!
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Thank you!😊
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Welcome!
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Hooray for Nevada! I had no idea the National Christmas Tree made stops along the way to Washington D.C. Thanks for this great post, Deborah.
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I didn’t either! We learn something new everyday. 😊
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We do!
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Congratulations to Nevada and to all the people who made the decorations and got the tree ready to travel. It looks like you’ve done a wonderful job.
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I think they did too. Thank you so much, Dan!
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Applause for Nevada and all its talented citizens.
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Thank you! 😊
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Wh
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Congratulations to Nevada. ❤️
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😊💙
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Lovely see such pride and devotion to your state Deborah, we need more of that. May the tree bring great joy and remind us of the constant evergreen love and provision of our Lord.
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It is indeed. Thank you so much, Ashley!
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Deborah, This post just makes me happy! What a great honor for Nevada! I love hearing how people from around the state made ornaments and panels for the tree skirts. I’m grateful for the National Park Service for working during the shutdown to make sure the tree gets to Washington D.C. How exciting you were able to be there as the tree began it’s journey. Thanks for telling the story of Silver Belle.
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It was really exciting to see it and give it a nice send off for its 3800 mile journey. The National Park Service has been amazing during the shutdown making sure it gets there on time. Thank you for reading about it here. I appreciate it a lot. 😊
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Wow that is quite a journey. Lovely way to celebrate the coming of Christmas
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It is isn’t it on both counts. 😊
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What a joyous event, Deborah. I wish I was on one of the stops but Amarillo is too far from me. Thanks for sharing.
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I wish Amarillo wasn’t so far for you as well but, it’s taking a almost straight route there. Thank you for reading about it here. 😊
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Thank you for sharing.
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Of course! 😊
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😊
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Yay for Nevada!!! ❤️🇺🇸
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Here, here! 💙
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Yesss!
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What a great story! I especially like the tree’s name, since “Silver Bells” is my favorite Christmas song. I was struck by your mention that Nevada has seventeen counties. I’m sure some of them are fairly large, but still: Texas has 254! Thanks for posting the schedule, too. I won’t be making it to Amarillo, but I have a friend in St. Louis who might have a chance to see it.
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I like that Christmas song too. I’m sure the tree was named Silver Belle because Nevada is the Silver state. Yes, just 17 counties. Washoe Co. is HUGE. Nye, and Elko are also pretty big. Mine is teeny in comparison.
Amarillo would be a fun stop. We have a meal and play in the gallery at the Big Texan too. I haven’t been there since 1983! No, I wouldn’t even try to eat the 72 ounce steak and all the trimmings. 😂
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What af great journey. Thanks for sharing this experience.
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You’re welcome! I wanted to share it with everyone so if the tree is passing by you, you can go see it if you can. 😊
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I looked at the route you shared, and sadly, I am nowhere near.
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What an event that is! I hadn’t heard of the phrase ‘tree cookie’ before, but it makes sense and I like it. I hope the Nevada tree will have a lot of spectators Deborah! (My city will have his anual christmas tree too in december. In front of city hall it will stand, but not as tall as your Silver Belle. 🙂 )
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I hope you include photos of your town’s Christmas tree this year, Peter. I’d love to see it. Do the town’s people make decorations for it each year?
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I will certainly make some picures and there is a good chance I will post some in the future. It’s not tradition for the towns people to make decorations for the tree. But I like the idea!
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I’m looking forward to it!
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Did you consider hitching a ride on or being a stowaway in the trailer?
Your mention of Lovelock got me wondering if the town in Nevada is the only one with that name in the country. A search turned up one other, in California. We must have passed through the one on I-80 in Nevada but I don’t remember it.
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LOL! No, I didn’t. Lovelock isn’t a big town if I recall it’s out where the prison is and speed limit is 80mph. I’ve been to Butte county several times for photography so must have been through Lovelock, CA. I’ll come across images from there one day while going through my archives.
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Yes, I happily remember the 80mph speed limit on the identically numbered Interstate. Surprisingly, a stretch of toll road TX 130 not far outside Austin has that beat with a speed limit of 85mph, which I believe is the highest in the country.
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WOW!
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