Sugar Bear makes one of its last stops in Humboldt County

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WILLOW CREEK, Calif.(KIEM)-Sugar Bear took its last few stops in Humboldt County today before it heads down to Mendocino County and makes its way to the Capitol.

Saturday morning, it stopped at Willow Creek; everyone seemed excited to get a glimpse of the tree. But it wouldn’t be possible without the help of the U.S. Forest Service. 

“It has been amazing to be chosen, and I think that this group is so excited to be able to represent the Six Rivers National Forest.  All its beautiful resources we have up here…also to celebrate the people’s tree and the cultural and diversity, of not just up here but all the state of California,” said Jacey Joddard, Public Affairs Officer with the U.S. Forest Service.

One of the most challenging jobs is transporting the tree to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building; They have to transport it on a 102-foot trailer.  

“It’s definitely going to be the highlight of anything I have ever done, probably for the rest of my life,” said Jeremy Bellinger, Driver with System Transport.

Getting the tree to its final destination takes a lot of work. The U.S. Forest Service has to make sure the tree is fed. The tree can consume 6 to 8 gallons of water per day.

“We do that with the help of a blatter bag, and also a 2 to 3-day binding process to make sure that the branches themselves don’t get harmed…so when they get to D.C.. it will be able to fluff out and get ready for ornaments,” said Samantha Reho, Spokesperson for Capitol Christmas Tree, with the U.S. Forest Service. 

If you would like to track “sugar bear,” the  84-foot white fir, you can do so at  capitoltreetracker.com.