KENAI, Alaska (AP) – Alaska’s forests will finally have a representative in Washington, D.C.: This year’s Capitol Christmas tree will be the first one from the Last Frontier.

Dozens of Alaskans gathered on the Kenai Peninsula Tuesday to watch the 75-foot Lutz spruce be uprooted, reported The Peninsula Clarion.

“It’s hard to believe,’ said Keith Freeman, who has lived in Alaska for decades and watched the tree-cutting ceremony. “You know, there’s plenty of trees down there (the Lower 48). To pack one down (thousands of) miles, and all the volunteers ...’

The Chugach Nationa...