Melania Trump welcomes Christmas tree to the White House

First Lady Melania Trump welcomed the official White House Christmas tree on Monday, continuing a longstanding holiday tradition that dates back more than five decades.

The 18 1/2-foot white fir arrived at the North Portico of the White House in grand fashion, delivered by a horse-drawn carriage pulled by two Clydesdale horses named Logan and Ben. Three men in traditional top hats guided the carriage to its destination.

“It’s a beautiful tree,” remarked Mrs. Trump as she inspected the towering evergreen. Dressed elegantly in a cream-colored overcoat and dark red gloves, the First Lady took time to shake hands with one of the carriage drivers and a woman accompanying the horses.

This year’s tree comes from Korson’s Tree Farms in Michigan, which earned the prestigious honor by winning the National Christmas Tree Association’s annual contest. The farm joins a select group of growers who have provided the centerpiece for White House holiday decorations since 1966, when the association began its partnership with the executive mansion.

The carefully selected tree will find its home in the Blue Room, one of the most prominent spaces in the White House. The oval-shaped room, with its distinctive blue color scheme, traditionally houses the official tree, which is usually decorated with ornaments representing a theme chosen by the First Lady.

The delivery marks the beginning of holiday decorating at the White House, a process that typically involves dozens of volunteers working alongside White House staff to transform the residence into a festive showcase. In the coming days, the tree will be secured in place and adorned with lights and decorations before being unveiled to the public.

Michigan’s Christmas tree industry, which produces approximately three million trees annually, received valuable exposure through this national recognition. The state ranks third nationally in Christmas tree production, behind only Oregon and North Carolina, with the industry generating an estimated $40 million in annual revenue for Michigan’s economy.

For tree farms like Korson’s, winning the national competition represents the pinnacle of achievement in an industry that combines agriculture, conservation, and holiday tradition. Christmas tree farmers often work year-round, planting seedlings and nurturing trees that take between six and ten years to reach marketable size.

The White House Christmas tree tradition has evolved significantly since its formal beginnings. While Christmas trees had occasionally appeared in the White House since the 1850s, the tradition became more standardized during the Kennedy administration. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy established the practice of selecting themes for the Blue Room tree, beginning with a “Nutcracker Suite” motif in 1961.

The arrival of the official tree typically signals the start of the holiday season in Washington and gives Americans their first glimpse of how the current administration will celebrate Christmas at the White House. Following the tree’s arrival, the White House will soon be fully decorated and opened for limited public tours, allowing visitors to view the seasonal displays.

As preparations continue in the coming weeks, the White House is expected to host numerous holiday receptions for diplomats, members of Congress, staff, and other invited guests—a traditional part of the season’s celebrations at the executive mansion.

The First Lady’s office will likely reveal this year’s holiday theme in the days ahead, continuing a custom that allows each administration to put its unique stamp on White House Christmas traditions.