N.C. tree headed to the White House for Christmas

CRESTON, N.C.

A Fraser fir from the mountains of western North Carolina is on its way to the White House.

The 20-foot tree weighing more than half a ton began its journey from River Ridge Tree Farms in Ashe County to Washington on Friday, the Winston-Salem Journal reported.

The tree means a lot to tree farm operator Jessie Davis, who said he and his late father-in-law planted the sapling 23 years ago.

"He would just be totally amazed," Davis said.

Davis and his family will see that the tree arrives safely, traveling to Washington to present it as the official White House tree for the Blue Room in a ceremony Sunday.

The North Carolina Farm Bureau said River Ridge will provide about 25 smaller Christmas trees for the White House, including the ones for the offices of the president and vice president.

This is the third time in four years that farmers in Ashe or Alleghany counties in North Carolina have been selected to supply the White House tree.

Four years ago, the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association changed its local contest that picks the winners who advance to the nationals. The association raised the state prize money and formed a committee to help growers pick trees that will stand out to national judges.

"We felt like that was the best investment we ever made," said Linda Gragg, the executive director of the Christmas tree association.

Because trees as tall as the one for the White House take so many years to grow, the wholesale cost of one might typically be more than $100 a foot, Gragg said. River Ridge is donating the tree as a gift to the nation.

Moments before cutting the tree down, Davis said he was honored to see one of his trees go to Washington.

"Getting to go to the White House, that's quite an honor, and we don't take it lightly," Davis said. "We believe North Carolina grows the best Christmas trees in the world."