A North Carolina Christmas tree has started it’s journey to D. C. where it will be the center of a holiday celebration in the White House after it’s grower abandoned it because “it wasn’t doing well”.
Newland, N. C. — A North Carolina Christmas tree has started it’s journey to Washington, D. C., where it will be the center of an elaborate holiday celebration in the White House after its grower abandoned it because “it wasn’t doing well.”
Grower Larry Smith told a Charlotte newspaper that the tree wasn’t doing as well as the others and he hadn’t trimmed it in years, but that did not stop White House officials from taking a liking to the natural look of the tree.
White House officials picked the tree in September from Smith’s farm, Mountain Top Fraser in Newland.
White House officials chose his farm as this year’s tree provider after Smith won the National Christmas Tree Contest.
The tree was harvested Wednesday morning and is expected to be delivered to the White House in three days, Smith said.
He said this was his fifth time participating in the national contest and reached the finals three of those times.
Smith made it to the winner’s circle this year. He said finding the perfect tree to submit to the contest took some time.
“We looked over our whole farm,” he said. “We’re looking for the perfect tree.”
According to Smith, competition judges rank trees based on their fullness and height.
“You want a tree that is as close to 8 feet as possible,” he said.
The tree that was ultimately selected by the White House surpassed expectations because it was 19½ feet tall.
Once the tree is delivered to the White House, it will be placed on display in the Blue Room on Nov.19.
Smith said his Christmas tree will be brought to the White House during a delivery that first lady Melania Trump will be a part of.
The grower will also have the opportunity to visit the White House during the lighting of the National Christmas Tree which will occur on the White House lawn on Nov. 29.
