Christmas Tree Arrives At White House

The holiday season has officially started at the White House. First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters Sasha and Malia welcomed the official White House Christmas Tree earlier this morning.

According to the White House blog, this year’s tree is a 19-foot Fraser Fir from Peak Farms in Jefferson, North Carolina. The tree was selected in early October and was harvested this month. It arrived via a traditional horse drawn carriage this morning and will be displayed throughout the holiday season in the Blue Room.

Michelle said that the tree was “perfect.”

The National Christmas Tree Association names one farm its grand champion every year and gives them the opportunity to provide a Christmas tree to the White House. This year, farm owners Rusty and Beau Estes were crowned the grand champions.

During the cutting ceremony at Peak Farms, U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx said:

“Folks, that is a perfect tree … And it is so fitting to have it here in Ashe County. I am just delighted that I have the opportunity to add my congratulations, because I understand the hard work that these people do year in and year out to produce such a beautiful tree and to do so much good for our area.”

The National Christmas Tree Association has been providing the White House its tree every year since 1966. This is the first time since 2008 that the tree has come from North Carolina.

N.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler, said:

“Of the eight years I’ve been commissioner of agriculture in North Carolina, five of them we’ve won the national (Christmas tree) competition. I was getting a little worried, though; 2008 was the last time we’d won the competition, and it was a great source of pride that I can brag to the other commissioners around the country about how good this Christmas tree industry is, and putting the tree in the White House.”

According to the DCist, the White House Christmas trees have come from West Virginia, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania over the last three years.