THE NATION’S TREE
While the White House tree brings holiday cheer to the Executive Mansion, the main event of Washington’s holiday season is coming next week, when the National Park Service holds the official lighting of the National Christmas Tree in the Ellipse adjacent to the White House. Close to 30 feet tall, the spruce from Virginia is the latest in a series of live trees to occupy the site. Elaborately decorated, it will be officially lit Thursday evening, continuing a tradition dating to 1923, when President Calving Coolidge pressed a button to illuminate the original tree. Actor Tom Hanks and actress and singer Rita Wilson will host this year’s event, joined by performers including NE-YO, Steve Miller, Patti LaBelle and others, and President Barack Obama is expected to throw the switch to turn on the intricate light display.
A horse-drawn wagon hauled the 20-foot white fir up the driveway to the North Portico for inspection on Friday morning. Receiving the tree were first lady Michelle Obama, daughters Malia and Sasha and family dogs Bo and Sunny.
The family circled the tree, smelled it and conferred before the first lady said, “Thumbs-up. It’s a go. We’re taking the tree.”
Malia, holding Bo’s leash, said of the tree: “It’s great. It’s big.”
It’s tradition for the first lady to preside over the tree delivery on the morning after Thanksgiving.
Odds are slim to none that it would ever be rejected. The tree is chosen weeks in advance at the farm that wins the National Christmas Tree Association contest. The winner has presented the official White House tree since 1966.
In late September, a group of White House staffers including the chief usher, groundskeeper and chief horticulturist traveled to the Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, Pa., to search for a tree they agreed is perfect enough to stand in the Blue Room, albeit tethered to its ceiling, as the main attraction throughout the White House holiday season. The Blue Room tree cannot be taller than 18 ½ feet, so this tree will be trimmed to fit.
The farm, run by Chris Botek, a second-generation Christmas tree farmer, also provided the official White House tree in 2010 and 2006.
The delivery kicks off an intense few days of round-the-clock tree trimming, wreath laying and other decorating by an army of volunteers who help turn the White House into a winter wonderland. Many of the decorations honor military families, a group that Mrs. Obama is trying to support through a nationwide initiative.
She has invited military families to the White House for a first look at the decorations on Wednesday.
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