VIDEO: Michelle Obama Welcomes 2015 White House Christmas Tree

PHOTO: First Lady Michelle Obama greets Jay Bustard and brother Glenn Bustard of Bustard Christmas Trees in Pennsylvania Friday, as they deliver the official White House Christmas tree. Photo from White House video.

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First Lady Michelle Obama, along with family dogs Bo, and Sunny, received the 2015 White House Christmas Tree at the North Portico on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.

The Fraser fir, grown in Pennsylvania, stands more than 18 feet tall. It was delivered on a large wagon pulled by two draft horses.

The tree is traditionally displayed in the Blue Room of the White House. The first lady says this year’s tree will honor the military, the Associated Press reported.

The White House Historical Association credits Lou Henry Hoover with establishing the custom of decorating an official tree in the White House.

Since 1966, members of the National Christmas Tree Association have presented the official White House Christmas Tree for display in the Blue Room. Each year, NCTA hosts a national tree contest, at which growers, industry experts and consumers vote to select the Real Christmas Tree grower who will provide the official White House Christmas Tree.

To qualify for the national contest, growers must first win their state or regional competitions, so being named National Grand Champion is quite an achievement. 2015 will mark the 50th year a member from the National Christmas Tree Association has presented the official White House Christmas Tree.

On Wednesday, Sept. 30, White House staff traveled to Bustard’s Christmas Trees in Pennsylvania to select the Christmas decoration centerpiece for the Blue Room of the White House.

The tree was handpicked by Angella Reid, White House Usher, along with White House Superintendent of Grounds Dale Haney and Chief Horticulturist Jim Adams with the National Park Service.


PHOTO from National Christmas Tree Association

“They looked over four trees pretty thoroughly,” said Jay Bustard. “Like most people, but maybe more so for them, they’re very particular about the tree they want. I think they picked a great one.”

Watch a video of the tree’s arrival, courtesy of the White House, below: