List of sources of the National Christmas Tree (United States) facts for kids
The National Christmas Tree is a special tree that lights up near the White House in Washington, D.C., every holiday season. It's a tradition that started a long time ago, bringing cheer to people across the United States. Each year, a beautiful tree is chosen to stand tall and bright, reminding everyone of the festive spirit.
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The National Christmas Tree: A Special Tradition
President Calvin Coolidge started this wonderful tradition in 1923. Since then, a National Christmas Tree has been lit every year without missing a single one. These trees have come from many different places. They have been set up in various spots around the President's Park or near the White House.
Cut Trees or Living Trees?
Sometimes the National Christmas Tree is a cut tree. This means it was cut down from a forest or tree farm. Other times, it's a living tree. A living tree is planted and grows in its spot for many years.
From 1923 to 1953, most of the trees were living trees. Then, from 1954 to 1972, cut trees were used. Since 1973, the tradition has returned to using living trees. The height of a cut tree is measured when it stands at the White House. For a living tree, its height is measured when it was first planted.
Where Do the Trees Come From?
The National Christmas Trees have come from many different states and even some U.S. territories. Each tree is carefully chosen to represent the country's natural beauty.
Special Places for the Tree
The National Christmas Tree has stood in several important locations. These include The Ellipse, which is a large park area south of the White House. Other spots were Sherman Plaza, a public square near the Treasury Building, and Lafayette Park, which is north of the White House. Sometimes, the tree was even placed on the South Lawn of the White House itself.
A List of National Christmas Trees
This table shows where each National Christmas Tree came from. It also lists what kind of tree it was, how tall it was, and where it stood.
| Year | Cut or living | Type of tree | Source | Height | Location | References | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1923 | Cut | Balsam fir | Vermont | 48 feet (15 m) | Middle of the Ellipse | ||
| 1924–1928 | Living | Norway spruce | New York | 35 feet (11 m) | West side of Sherman Plaza | ||
| 1929–1930 | Living | Norway spruce | New York | 35 feet (11 m) | West side of Sherman Plaza | ||
| 1931–1933 | Living | Blue spruce | Washington, D.C. | 25 feet (7.6 m) | West side of Sherman Plaza | ||
| 1934-1938 | Living | Fraser fir (two trees) |
North Carolina | 23 feet (7.0 m) | Middle of Lafayette Square | ||
| 1939 | Living (transplanted after use) |
Red cedar | Virginia | 36 feet (11 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1940 | Living (transplanted after use) |
Red cedar | Virginia | 34 feet (10 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1941–1953 | Living | Oriental spruce (two trees) |
Washington, D.C. | 35 feet (11 m) | South side of the White House South Lawn | ||
| 1954 | Cut | Balsam fir | Michigan | 67 feet (20 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1955 | Cut | White spruce | South Dakota | 67 feet (20 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1956 | Cut | Engelmann spruce | New Mexico | 67 feet 3 inches (20.50 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1957 | Cut | White spruce | Minnesota | 60 feet (18 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1958 | Cut | Engelmann spruce | Montana | 75 feet (23 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1959 | Cut | White spruce | Maine | 72 feet (22 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1960 | Cut | Douglas fir | Oregon | 75 feet (23 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1961 | Cut | Douglas fir | Washington | 75 feet (23 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1962 | Cut | Blue spruce | Colorado | 72 feet (22 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1963 | Cut | Red spruce | West Virginia | 71 feet (22 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1964 | Cut | White spruce | New York | 72 feet (22 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1965 | Cut | Blue spruce | Arizona | 85 feet (26 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1966 | Cut | Red fir | California | 65 feet (20 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1967 | Cut | Balsam fir | Vermont | 70 feet (21 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1968 | Cut | Engelmann spruce | Utah | 74 feet (23 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1969 | Cut | Norway spruce | New York | 65 feet (20 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1970 | Cut | White spruce | South Dakota | 78 feet (24 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1971 | Cut | Douglas fir | North Carolina | 65 feet (20 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1972 | Cut | Engelmann spruce | Wyoming | 70 feet (21 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1973–1976 | Living | Blue spruce | Colorado | 42 feet (13 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1977 | Living | Blue spruce | Maryland | 34 feet (10 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 1978–2010 | Living | Blue spruce | New York | 30 feet (9.1 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 2011–2012 | Living | Blue spruce | New Jersey | 26.5 feet (8.1 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 2012–2018 | Living | Blue spruce | Virginia | 28 feet (8.5 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 2019–2020 | Living | Blue spruce | Pennsylvania | 30 feet (9.1 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 2021–2022 | Living | White fir | Pennsylvania | 27 feet (8.2 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 2023 | Cut | Norway spruce | West Virginia | 40 feet (12 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
| 2024 | Cut | Red spruce | Virginia | 35 feet (11 m) | North side of the Ellipse | ||
