SeeCalifornia.com

If you ask the question, “How is cutting down a tree politically correct?” then we’ll explain how the State of California gets it Capitol Christmas Tree for all to see.

Sacramento State Capitol each year (for 82 years) has celebrated at tree lighting on the capitol grounds, and each year, a lovely tree is selected, cut, transported and installed for all to see. This year the tree comes from Redding’s La Tour Demonstration Forest, one of eight such forests in California. The tree is a beautifully shaped, 55-foot Whitefir tree decorated with energy-efficient LED lights and ornaments made by individuals who are participants in state programs for disabled.

The State Christmas Tree in 2013 was selected from California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) Demonstration Forests. Totaling 71,000 acres, the forests represent the most common forest types in the state. They are designed to host research projects and demonstrate improved forest management practices, from timber production and environmental stewardship, to public recreation uses. The State Forests grow approximately 57 million board feet annually while the timber harvest level from these forests averages about half of the growth, providing enough timber to build over 3,000 single family homes. Revenue from these harvests help fund Demonstration State Forests operations.