White House gets its Christmas Tree

Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the White House.

On Friday, the president’s residence got its traditional and official Christmas tree.

The arrival of the massive Douglas fir, on a festive horse-drawn sleigh-bell-ringing carriage, was greeted warmly and excitedly by First Lady Michelle Obama and First Daughters Sasha and Malia.

When Mrs. Obama asked her daughters, “Do you give it a thumbs-up?” The girls replied with actual thumbs-up, and the First Lady responded, “We’ll take it!”

The tree was actually selected by the White House grounds superintendent, the chief floral designer, the National Parks Services’ horticultural supervisor, and the executive chief usher several months ago. The White House team of officials trekked to Lehington, PA, to inspect, evaluate and select the tree among some 200 trees at the Crystal Spring Tree Farm.

Typically, the White House is decorated with several Christmas trees that adorn various rooms. But, the Blue Room’s tree is the only official one.

Crystal Spring also provided the White House with its grand tree in 2006. The tree farm was selected again this year after it was awarded the grand prize at the National Christmas Tree Association’s annual competition in August. The tree from that event, an 8-foot Colorado Blue Spruce, was sent to the wood chipper after its win.

While First Ladies and First Families have used a variety of themes to decorate the White House Christmas tree each year, one thing remains constant.

Every year, the tree must precisely measure 18 1/2 feet, as that is the height of the Blue Room. The room’s chandelier is removed to make room for the tree, which is wired to the ceiling to keep it from toppling over.

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