Question.

The National Christmas Tree: Having used cut trees from around the country since 1954, the Christmas Pageant of Peace reintroduced a living tree into the ceremony in 1973, responding to hundreds of letters from individuals and environmental groups around the country requesting that conservation concerns be addressed. A 42-foot Colorado blue spruce from Pennsylvania donated by the National Arborist Association was planted in the Ellipse earlier that year. In order to conserve energy, the 1973 tree was decorated primarily with non-energy-consuming decorations such as garlands and balls. With less weight and heat on the branches, this also helped preserve the tree. Yet, this tree deteriorated within a few short years and was replaced with a 34-foot Colorado blue spruce from Maryland in 1977. Unfortunately, the 1977 tree was destroyed in a windstorm months afterwards. A 30-foot Colorado blue spruce from York, Pennsylvania was planted in the Ellipse in 1978 and has been employed as the National Christmas Tree since.

The Capitol Christmas Tree: The Capitol Christmas Tree (formerly the Capitol Holiday Tree) is the decorated tree that is erected annually on the West Front of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the Christmas holiday season. A tree was first displayed in 1964, at the request of Speaker of the House John W. McCormack.[1] This first tree was a live Douglas-fir, purchased from a nursery. It was re-decorated for the next three Christmas seasons. After it died, white pines were cut down in Maryland and put on display for the 1968 and 1969 seasons. Beginning in 1970, trees have been provided by the U.S. Forest Service.The Capitol Christmas Tree is traditionally lighted at 5:00pm EST on December 9 through to New Year's Day.

Hope that clarifies your question. The National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in front of the White House is a living tree. The Capitol Christmas Tree is cut every year, comes from different states, propped up, and is decorated by the children of the state where the tree came from. The National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse is also surrounded by 50+ small live trees that represent each state and territory. These trees are also decorated by children from each state/territoy. I hope you can visit one year and see our beautiful National Christmas Tree, Pageant of Peace, Yule Log, and Capitol Christmas Tree. It is a wonderful experience and DC is beautifully decorated for the season!