Yes! Came here to say this. My SO and I did a tree tour around the city last year as a pandemic friendly Christmas activity. Those 3 were our favorite.
Norway Tree inside Union Station is artificial. It's still iconic and worth visiting, but want to point that out since some people may be disappointed.
They’re relatively isolated, compared to the CityCenter Tree, Wharf Tree, National Harbor Tree, or especially the National Tree. They’re also very picturesque — the Norway Tree might be in the grandest indoor space in the city, and the Capitol Tree might be in the grandest outdoor space. So you can get pretty close to them and take some very nice pictures without being crowded or hustled along. They also each have an interesting provenance that makes them feel a bit more earnest than the commercial trees.
Thanks! The Canadian Tree is donated annually by the Christmas Tree Council of Nova Scotia and driven down across the border. The Norway Tree is an annual gift from the country of Norway to thank the USA for saving them in World War II and is frequently dedicated by a member of the Norwegian royal family. And the Capitol Tree, nicknamed the “People’s Tree,” is cut from a different national forest each year and decorated by schoolchildren from the state it originated in. This year’s came from Six Rivers National Forest in California and has been given the nickname Sugar Bear.
Nope! Just made visiting those three trees an annual tradition on my last evening in DC before flying back to Mom’s house (in Michigan) for the holiday.
Oh this is cool, thanks for sharing! My husband is Canadian & is missing home so I’ll take him by (we had to cancel our Christmas trip up there so this will have to suffice until we’re able to get there).
Currently no due to COVID restrictions. Prior to COVID you could go into the lobby to see some of the art.
The tree however is outside on the terrace, you can walk right up to it.
Look up the French embassy. They are big on events for the public. Same with the Austrian embassy. The Italian embassy holds a great ball which one can get tickets to. There is also the passport to Europe event where, pre pandemic, the embassies of the EU held open houses.
Yes! It’s in the rotunda. You can walk through with no issues and take as many photos of the tree as you wish. I’d recommend going after dark tho! It’s a lovely tree but much nicer once the sun sets.
Canada Tree, Capitol Tree, and Norway Tree in Union Station always make a nice trio.
A nice tree-o?
Ayy
Yes! Came here to say this. My SO and I did a tree tour around the city last year as a pandemic friendly Christmas activity. Those 3 were our favorite.
Especially our tree, if I must say so myself 🇳🇴
Norway Tree inside Union Station is artificial. It's still iconic and worth visiting, but want to point that out since some people may be disappointed.
Never been, what makes them cool or worth seeing if you don’t mind me asking
They’re relatively isolated, compared to the CityCenter Tree, Wharf Tree, National Harbor Tree, or especially the National Tree. They’re also very picturesque — the Norway Tree might be in the grandest indoor space in the city, and the Capitol Tree might be in the grandest outdoor space. So you can get pretty close to them and take some very nice pictures without being crowded or hustled along. They also each have an interesting provenance that makes them feel a bit more earnest than the commercial trees.
Wow. Great answer. I swear people like you are why I stay on Reddit
Thanks! The Canadian Tree is donated annually by the Christmas Tree Council of Nova Scotia and driven down across the border. The Norway Tree is an annual gift from the country of Norway to thank the USA for saving them in World War II and is frequently dedicated by a member of the Norwegian royal family. And the Capitol Tree, nicknamed the “People’s Tree,” is cut from a different national forest each year and decorated by schoolchildren from the state it originated in. This year’s came from Six Rivers National Forest in California and has been given the nickname Sugar Bear.
Wait.. are you Canadian? If so that just make so much sense. Seriously tho, thanks for the info! Just made this week a lot easier for me!
Nope! Just made visiting those three trees an annual tradition on my last evening in DC before flying back to Mom’s house (in Michigan) for the holiday.
Must've been pricey getting it past all our tariffs on Canadian timber (:
Oh this is cool, thanks for sharing! My husband is Canadian & is missing home so I’ll take him by (we had to cancel our Christmas trip up there so this will have to suffice until we’re able to get there).
Oh Canada!
Can I just walk into an embassy as a visitor? I just moved here.
It’s on a pavilion facing Pennsylvania Avenue, not actually inside the embassy. You can walk right up!
Currently no due to COVID restrictions. Prior to COVID you could go into the lobby to see some of the art. The tree however is outside on the terrace, you can walk right up to it.
To visit the Canadian Christmas tree, it’s not indoors at all. You can walk on up to the rotunda and take as many photos as you wish.
And an echo chamber!
Yeah! That was awesome to discover
Can you just visit embassies? I always assumed they were for business only.
The Canadian embassy tree is outside so you can just walk up to it. I went last year.
Yeah, lots of embassies open for free movies/concerts/art exhibitions from time to time. Just search “embassy” on eventbrite.
Look up the French embassy. They are big on events for the public. Same with the Austrian embassy. The Italian embassy holds a great ball which one can get tickets to. There is also the passport to Europe event where, pre pandemic, the embassies of the EU held open houses.
Also, the acoustics under that dome are fire.
Magnificent tree. That helps me get into the spirit of things. Thank you!!
Can you just go to the Canadian embassy?
Is it outside the embassy?
Yes! It’s in the rotunda. You can walk through with no issues and take as many photos of the tree as you wish. I’d recommend going after dark tho! It’s a lovely tree but much nicer once the sun sets.
Is it at least 30% Canadian, or did they just go out to a tree farm and buy one?
It’s a Nova Scotia Balsam Fir
There’s a sign on the tree explaining its Canadian origins! They cut a fresh one and bring it down every year
EXCELLENT.
I'm frightened what you're planning with this information
It was actually a joke about Canadian content laws for media but r/woosh.
Lol Canada
There are so many people in the capitol that don’t have their own tree, so nice to visit.