Crew damages yule tree while squeezing it into state Capitol

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A giant Christmas tree was a little too big for the Pennsylvania state Capitol.

The 23-foot white fir lost many of its branches along one side as state workers tried to squeeze it through an opening in the front of the building Thursday.

Samantha Elliott, a spokeswoman for the state Department of General Services, said a crew normally pulls the tree past the front doors using a makeshift tunnel constructed with plywood, taking care to cut larger branches beforehand and replace them later. But not enough of the lower limbs were removed, she said.

The damage came as no surprise to the president of the Christmas tree growers association. Edward Chapman said a few feet had to be cut off just to get the fir onto a truck.