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JJ Keller's Logistics Mastery Brings Wisconsin's National Christmas Tree to Washington

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Monday, December 1st 2025 at 18:25 GMT by WBAY

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JJ Keller’s Behind‑the‑Scenes Work Brings This Year’s National Christmas Tree to Green Bay

On Thursday, December 1, 2025, WBAY’s local reporters followed the journey of a towering pine as it was escorted from the heart of Wisconsin to the nation’s capital. The tree, the 2025 National Christmas Tree, had been selected from a grove in the state’s northern forests, and it was JJ Keller—an executive with the Green Bay Public Transportation Authority—who coordinated every detail of the logistics that saw the emerald spruce safely cross the country. The article on WBAY’s website chronicles Keller’s pivotal role, the collaborative effort between state officials, the transportation crew, and the city’s community partners, and it highlights how a small Wisconsin community played a part in a national holiday tradition.

The National Christmas Tree Tradition

The tradition of the National Christmas Tree dates back to 1923, when the U.S. Congress authorized the planting of a pine on the Capitol grounds to commemorate the holiday season. Since then, each year a different state or territory has donated a pine or spruce to the Capitol, and the selection process is overseen by the Office of the Architect of the Capitol and the U.S. Department of State. The tree is typically a spruce or pine that stands at least 70–80 feet tall and is trimmed to fit the iconic “tree of life” silhouette that adorns the Capitol’s rotunda.

According to a link in the article that directs readers to the U.S. Department of State’s holiday traditions page, the 2025 tree is a 75‑foot‑tall spruce from the Winnebago County pine grove, the same source that has supplied trees for the last three years. The state’s Parks and Recreation Department sent a team of horticulturists to ensure the tree was healthy and ready for transport. After the tree was cut and transported to the Green Bay Greenhouses, it was shipped to the Capitol on a specialized 18‑wheel trailer equipped with a hydraulic lift to accommodate the tree’s massive weight.

JJ Keller’s Logistical Mastery

JJ Keller, a Green Bay native and a senior logistics manager at the Public Transportation Authority, has been involved in large‑scale freight operations for over a decade. In the article’s interview section, Keller explains that his role began when the Green Bay City Council requested help in securing a transportation partner capable of moving the tree from the state grove to the Capitol in the allotted 72‑hour window.

“The challenge was not just the distance—it was the regulations, the weight, the need for a special route to avoid traffic congestion, and ensuring that the tree’s condition was preserved,” Keller said. “We coordinated with the U.S. Department of Transportation to secure a DOT‑approved freight corridor, worked with the Capitol’s security team to plan a safe arrival schedule, and liaised with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to clear a dedicated truck lane from Green Bay to the I‑43 corridor.”

The article details the logistical choreography: first, the tree was loaded onto a custom-built skid, then secured with a system of chains and harnesses that distributed its weight evenly. The transportation team used a 400‑tonne flatbed trailer with a hydraulic lift that could raise the tree’s trunk above the load floor, preventing any pressure points that might damage the trunk or branches. Keller’s team performed regular checks of the tree’s moisture level, ensuring it remained hydrated throughout the journey.

The tree’s journey was documented in a short video that the article links to, showing the tree in its crate, the trailer being driven through Wisconsin’s rolling countryside, and the final stop at the Capitol’s loading dock where the tree was set up for the official lighting ceremony. The video highlights Keller’s “green” approach: he had the crew use biodegradable packing materials and a low‑emission truck to reduce the carbon footprint of the transportation.

Community Support and City Involvement

The article also features stories from local volunteers, the Green Bay Rotary Club, and the City of Green Bay’s Parks Department, all of whom contributed to the tree’s preparation. A link to the Green Bay Parks Department’s holiday page shows how volunteers trimmed the tree’s needles, applied a protective sealant, and wrapped it in burlap to keep sap from spilling during transport.

Mayor Susan R. Brown praised Keller in a statement: “JJ’s dedication to this project shows the pride we have in our community. He made sure that our state’s gift arrived in perfect condition and on schedule.” The article also quotes a local horticulturist who praised the tree’s selection: “This spruce is a testament to Wisconsin’s forest stewardship, and we’re proud to have it represent our state on the national stage.”

The Lighting Ceremony and What’s Next

The article concludes with a preview of the upcoming National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony scheduled for December 12, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol. According to a link to the Architect of the Capitol’s event page, the ceremony will be streamed live, featuring musical performances, a keynote address from the U.S. Secretary of State, and the ceremonial lighting by the First Lady. The article notes that Green Bay residents will be invited to a pre‑ceremony community gathering at the Green Bay Civic Center, where the tree will be displayed for a short period before its departure.

Keller is quoted as reflecting on the emotional impact of the project: “It’s more than a logistical challenge. It’s a symbol of unity and the holiday spirit that brings communities together. Knowing that our tree will be seen by millions gives us all a sense of pride.”

In Summary

The WBAY article on December 1, 2025, offers a comprehensive look at how a state‑donated pine made its way from Wisconsin to Washington, DC, thanks to the meticulous planning of JJ Keller and his transportation crew. By weaving together logistical details, local community efforts, and national holiday traditions, the story underscores how a simple act of coordination can transform a tree into a symbol of shared celebration across the nation. The article’s links to the U.S. Department of State’s holiday traditions page, the Wisconsin Parks Department’s holiday page, and the Architect of the Capitol’s event page provide readers with additional context, ensuring that the reader understands not just the what and how, but also the why behind this festive tradition.