GREENSBORO, N.C. — Chopped! An 18-and-a-half-foot tall Native True fir from Cline Church Nursery in Fleetwood, NC is cut and on its way to being the White House Christmas Tree. This will be the 15th year a North Carolina tree has been the official White House Christmas Tree.
On Wednesday, a crowd of folks drove into the Christmas Tree farm and watched as the tree was cut down and then lifted up by a crane and put on an open truck trailer for the ride to Washington D.C. This is the second time Amber Scott and Alex Church have won the national contest.
Since 1966 the National Christmas Tree Association has been providing the White House with the tree that will be displayed in the Blue Room. According to the web page, growers must first win their state or regional competitions to qualify to be in the running to be the White House Christmas Tree.
The first Christmas tree from North Carolina was picked in 1971. Every decade since there has been at least one North Carolina tree at the White House. And in 2024, already the next tree has been picked, and it comes from North Carolina as well.
Christmas trees don't just grow in the mountains in North Carolina, there are also farms in the Piedmont and Coastal Plains. the NC State Extension Office has a portal for all things Christmas Trees. Here are recommendations from the site about the care of your real tree.
Follow These Tips to Keep Your Tree Fresh, Fragrant and Safe
Make a fresh cut. Straight across the base of the tree, cut off approximately one-half inch before placing the tree in a stand.
Use a stand that will hold a gallon of water or more.
Check the water often and keep the stand full. A tree may take up a gallon of water in the first 24 hours and a quart a day after that.
Preservatives are not needed, just plenty of fresh water.
Place trees away from heat sources, heating vents, fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, and sunny windows.
Do not overload electric circuits. Turn off lights before leaving home or going to bed. Remember, a fresh cut, plenty of water, and a bit of common sense are all it takes to enjoy your North Carolina Fraser fir.