The 80-Foot Trailer Rebuild and Protection for the over 4,000 Journey from Wrangell, Alaska to Washington, D.C.
For more than 50 years, U-C Coatings, LLC, has been a leading supplier of environmentally friendly, water-based wood protection products, including premium SEAL-ONCE® coatings and sealers for exterior decks, docks, fences, siding and more.
This year, SEAL-ONCE heard a call for help and responded with enthusiasm! The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree trailer needed a complete overhaul; all wood panels and wood elements on the trailer needed to be replaced. And because the trailer will be traveling a great distance this year, bringing the tree from Wrangell, Alaska, to Washington, D.C., SEAL-ONCE saw the opportunity not only to rebuild but also protect the wood trailer not just for this year, but for many years to come.
Harvested from America’s largest national forest, the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will travel 4,293 miles to Washington, D.C., stopping at many towns and locations along the way.
According to Terry Baker, CEO, Society of American Foresters, “For over 10 years, the custom trailer that protects ‘The People’s Tree’ in transport and allows for community engagement has become interwoven with the excitement of the tour. While we have been able to conduct the necessary upkeep over that time, we are thrilled to have SEAL-ONCE step in to support the evolution and rebuild of the trailer for the next 10+ years. With this new national partner for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, we are excited to build on the great work before us in this effort and look to these new relationships that raise the awareness of trees, forests, and forest products.”
The steel extendable flatbed trailer with a custom wood enclosure that is used only for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree can extend from 60’ to 80’ in order to accommodate multiple sizes of trees. The custom wood panel enclosure is specially designed to be assembled to encapsulate the tree after loading while the steel trailer is fully extended. The SEAL-ONCE sponsorship of supplying the wood to rebuild the trailer and the SEAL-ONCE Premium Semi-Transparent Stain will protect “The People’s Tree” while traveling over 4,000 miles to D.C. During the tree’s journey, the trailer will travel on a barge from Alaska to the mainland, on roads and highways, and will be exposed to many different weather elements, including those most harsh.
“The SEAL-ONCE Marine Grade Premium Semi-Transparent Stain was the perfect choice for this project,” says Paula Barnes, VP Marketing, U-C Coatings. “The protection our product delivers will preserve the trailer’s durability and beauty for years to come. In fact, SEAL-ONCE developed a special unique Christmas Red stain, exclusively designed for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Trailer that enhances the natural grain and beauty of the new wood. We prepared and provided twenty 5-gallon pails to cover 15,000 square feet of wood!”
The trailer was rebuilt in July of 2024 by members of the U.S. Forest Service in preparation for its journey from the Tongass National Forest in Alaska to the Capitol. The SEAL-ONCE U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Trailer Restoration Team was on site in Wrangell, Alaska, to assist the U.S. Forest Service with the rebuilding and coating process of the new trailer.
“We are excited and proud to have helped restore and protect the trailer that will carry ‘The People’s Tree’,” said Ms. Barnes. “SEAL-ONCE Marine Grade product was the clear choice to stand up to the extreme Alaskan weather and the rigors of a cross-country road trip. Our Marine Grade wood protection sealer and stain penetrate below the surface, create a breathable barrier that can expand and contract with the elements, and are abrasion resistant. Plus, our products are water-based, eco-friendly, with ultra-low VOC, making them safe for people, pets, and plants. All the while, SEAL-ONCE Marine Grade product provides superior protection and stability that finishes and performs nearly as well as an oil base. This is why we encourage all who will have the opportunity to see this breathtaking site and tree along its journey to sign the banner and sneak a peek at the beautiful new trailer!”
Watch the rebuild and protection of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Trailer by following SEAL-ONCE on:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SEALONCEWaterproofing
- lnstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sealonce2250/
Special events will be held in communities between Alaska and Washington, D.C. Locations vary from main streets and schools to state capitols, city halls, stadiums, retailers, and local businesses. An online tree tracker feature will be available on the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree website, providing real-time updates of the tree’s location on tour. This year’s tree will be traveling through WA, OR, ID, UT, CO, NE, IA, IL, IN, OH, PA. The 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree tour will be released this fall.
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