The U.S. Capitol Christmas tree this year had 110 LED net lights, 225 LED string sets, and 265 LED spherical ornaments, an output of about 5,700 watts, an 80 percent energy savings compared to incandescent lights.
Photo: www.whitehouse.gov

The 2013 national Christmas tree is an 88-ft. tall Engelmann spruce from the Colville National Forest in northeast Washington state. The Colville National Forest staff selected several tree candidates, and the superintendent of the capitol grounds made the final selection.

After it was cut and craned onto a flatbed truck, it was wrapped and spend several weeks on the road, making stops along the 5,000 mile route in Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland, before arriving at the U.S. Capital in time for Thanksgiving.

The tree was installed on the U.S. Capitol's west lawn, where it was decorated with more than 5,000 handmade ornaments donated from young people, ages 5-19. The ornament donors were entered in a contest to win a trip to Washington, D.C. for the lighting ceremony.

The official tree lighting ceremony took place Dec. 6, featuring musical performers (Avett Brothers, Joshua Bell, Mariah Carey, Ren????(R)???(C)e Fleming, Aretha Franklin, Janelle Mon????(R)?e, Arturo Sandoval and Train), remarks from President Obama, and the First Lady reading "T'was the Night Before Christmas" to a group of children.

This is the 51st year that GE provided the design and lights for the tree. The lighting design features colorful LEDs and some animation. LEDs have exclusively lit the national Christmas tree for the last four years. Round sugar plum lights in bright, traditional multicolors provide the overall lighting. There was also a garland of warm white twinkling 7-inch LED spherical ornaments to provide visual interest during the day, as well as dramatic light movement at night. The heirloom star-shaped topper was rebuilt this year, and is illuminated with commercial Tetra®MAX LED signage product.