few years ago and changed the name of the tree from christmas tree to holiday tree and then speaker hastnered it back to christmas tree. tree. >> the capitol christmas tree, the event being celebrated. >> reporter: the tree is smack in the middle of the capitol lawn and every side faces the public, unlike some politicians there is no way to hide a bad side in some corner. but it's not the only tree in town. and just like our branches of government, there is division. >> we have had trees from the very beginning not necessarily at the capitol but the white house and the capitol does a tree, there are trees all over the city. it's not that kind of a competition. and if it was i think with an 88-foot tree we would probably have the tallest. >> reporter: isn't that how we like it bigger and bigger. >> that is what happens in the grows. >> reporter: like the capitol building itself which expanded numerous times over its history, this year scaffolding on the back of the tree and the dome getting a much needed face lift. >> everyone moved into it in 1800 and john adams opened the first session of