THE NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE

The first National Christmas Tree, which was initially called the National Community Christmas Tree, was introduced in 1923 by President Calvin Coolidge. The Christmas tree, which was a 48-foot Balsam fir donated to the President by Middlebury College, was from Coolidge’s home state of Vermont. The tree was erected on the Ellipse just south of the White House. On Christmas Eve, President Coolidge walked from the White House to the Ellipse and lit the tree. He then delivered a Christmas message to the 3,000 spectators in attendance, such Presidential Christmas tradition becoming a national tradition.

The following year, a 35-foot Norway Spruce, which was donated by the American Forestry Association, was planted in Sherman Plaza near the White House and served as the National Community Christmas Tree for ten years. In 1934, the National Christmas Tree was moved from Sherman Plaza to Lafayette Park and then in 1939 the National Christmas Tree was returned again to the Ellipse.

For many years thereafter, many of the trees were cut trees donated for the Pageant of Peace. In 1973, the National Arborist Association donated a 42-foot blue spruce from northern Pennsylvania with the intention that it would be planted as serve as a permanent National Christmas Tree. Several years later, this tree began to die and was replaced in 1977 with a new tree. This new tree was toppled by a powerful wind storm. Finally, in 1978, an anonymous family in Maryland donated a 40-foot-tall living Colorado blue spruce which was planted on the Ellipse and has been the National Christmas tree every since. Adjacent to the National Christmas Tree stand 57 smaller trees which represent each of the states, territories and the District of Columbus.

Each year, the National Christmas Tree is lit by the President with thousands attending and millions others watching the lighting on TV. By tradition, the First Lady is lifted by a hydraulic lift to place a new star ornament on the top of the tree after which the tree is decorated. The traditional exhibits have included a nativity scene which was discontinued for over 19 years until, in 1984, the US Supreme Court determined that it was legally permissible to have a nativity scene sponsored by the US government.

Over the years, the National Christmas Tree has been used to focus and remind the American people of crisis confronting the nation. In 1941, Sir Winston Churchill, who was in Washington for meetings concerning the war, assisted President Roosevelt in lighting the National Christmas Tree. For the balance of World War II, the National Christmas Tree was not lit due to wartime restrictions. At the end of the war in 1945, President Harry Truman lighted the National Christmas Tree for the first time since 1941.

In 1979, the National Christmas Tree was not lit as a symbol of the American hostages being held at the American Embassy in Iran. The following year, the National Christmas Tree was lit for 417 seconds only, one second for each day of the hostage situation.

THE WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS TREE

Perhaps even more famous and loved than the National Christmas Tree is the White House Christmas Tree, as tradition since 1889 when President Benjamin Harrison installed the first official White House Christmas Tree.

Beginning in 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association has sponsored a contest among American Christmas tree growers to select the official White House Christmas Tree. Each year, the winning tree is presented to the First Lady at the White House. The winning trees have originated from a multitude of states stretching from Oregon to North Carolina.

The White House Christmas Tree has been traditionally located in the Blue Room and is decorated by the First Family, their staff and volunteers. In 1961, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy decorated the White House Christmas Tree with toys from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite ballet, trimming the tree with toy soldiers, candy canes, lollipops, sugarplum fairies and toy musical instruments. These decorations were made by disabled Americans. Subsequent First Ladies have carried on the Kennedy tradition by selected a theme for the annual decoration of the White House Christmas Trees. These themes often are centered on the talents and works of American artisans and often are representative of each of the 50 states. For example, in 1986, Nancy Reagan chose Mother Goose nursery rhymes as the decoration theme for the White House Christmas Tree. In 2001, First Lady Bush used miniature replicas of historic houses from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

THE ROCKEFELLER CENTER CHRISTMAS TREE

Almost as well known as the White House Christmas Tree, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City is a part of America’s Christmas traditions. The first Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center appeared in 1931 during the construction of the Rockefeller when construction workers decorated a small balsam fir tree with tin cans, paper chains and strings of cranberries. The tradition has continued every since then.

Each year, Rockefeller Center representatives scour the Northeast in helicopters looking for a suitable tree. The 75 to 90 foot trees are usually Norway Spruce found in homeowners’ yards since the Norway Spruce does not grow wild in the forests of North America. Once located, the trees are cut while supported by a crane and then carefully transported to New York on a special truck trailer.

When installed at Rockefeller Center, the tree is supported by four guide wires and decorated with more than 30,000 lights. The star on the top of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is 9.5 feet in diameter and weights 550 pounds.

Enjoyed by thousands and thousands of spectators during each Christmas season, at the end of each Christmas season the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is mulched and the resulting three tons of mulch is donated to the Boy Scouts of America to be used for trail preservation. Another tradition is to cut off the base of the trunk and donate it to the United States Equestrian Team to be used as obstacles in their training.