POULSBO — In the true spirit of the season, Washington state is wrapping up and tying a bow around a 65-foot tall, 45-year-old Pacific Silver Fir tree and giving it to the nation.

In conjunction with a United States tradition that dates back to 1964, Washington was honored this year with the opportunity to provide the tree that will be lit Dec. 6 at the nation’s capitol by 2006 Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert — and Tracyton second-grader Micah Joe.

“It’s really almost a once in a lifetime experience,” said Eduardo Olmedo, Pacific District Forest ranger and project leader. “Since 1970, the U.S. tree has come off a national forest, there are 155 national forests and this is the first time it has come from Washington.”

Along with the state’s first ever contribution of the Capitol Christmas Tree, its students created and sent out decorative ornaments with Washington flair. Joe’s Northwest tribal style ornament was selected as the best in the state by the governor’s husband, Mike Gregoire, granting the Central Kitsap 8-year-old a ticket to the nation’s capitol to help illuminate the tree.

Washington native Gordy Grove of National Van Lines is hauling the precious cargo on the 2,800-mile journey with a forest service law enforcement motorcade.

“I feel really honored to be taking our tree to the U.S. Capitol,” Grove said with emphasis on “our.” “We’ve done the whole loop (around Washington), now we’ve just got to finish it up.”

The tree’s final state stop was in Seattle Nov. 16. When it made its stop in Poulsbo Nov. 14, the Christmas fir was feted with cultural dance and holiday carols as the Sons of Norway’s Leikarringen dancers performed along with Wolfle’s elementary school choir and the North Kitsap High School Northern Lights.

A fluctuating mass of 50 people gathered for the event which was held in the parking lot of Olhava’s Super Wal-Mart Tuesday.

“To me, it’s the epitome of small town when you bring out the community and celebrate the holidays,” Poulsbo Mayor Kathryn Quade said. “It’s small town at its best.”

“It’s been excellent,” Olmedo said of the tree’s state tour. “It has varied, but with no question, there’s been excitement and enthusiasm at each stop along with the feeling of being a part of history.”

Since it was cut from the Wynoochee River headwaters in Grays Harbor, the tree has endured wind, rain, snow and sunshine while being celebrated with parades, cultural celebrations, caroling and new Christmas ornaments at each stop.

Though it wasn’t erected off of its wooden cradles, the tree’s enormity and symbolism was a staple in Poulsbo.

“I’ve never seen a tree as big in my home town,” Quade said.