For the first time in 40 years, the White House Christmas tree will be from Michigan. A farm in Montcalm County held a ceremony on Tuesday with a White House official to pick the lucky tree.
At Korson's Tree Farm in Sidney, a community of over 2,000 people, guests waited for the selection ceremony. White House Superintendent of Grounds Dale Haney, was tasked with officially picking the tree. Guests were served Æbleskivers, a traditional Danish snack, cooked into the shape of a sphere.
Korson’s Tree Farm won a contest for Christmas Tree Growers from around the country to have one of their trees selected. They were judged by a panel of three.
Rex Korson co-owns the farm with his wife Jessica. He said the tree competition was stiff.
"This summer there were 16 total trees that had been entered into the contest and from probably 12 different states." The farm operates with a full-time staff of about 25 people, Korson said. “We can't do what we do without those guys. They're incredible. Our crew's amazing."
Haney along with a handful of farm workers walked around the grounds and inspected about a half-dozen trees.
They used a 19-foot telescoping stick and measuring tape to check the specifics of the trees. The tree must be around 20-feet tall and symmetrical.
After measuring around a half dozen trees, one was selected. The roughly 20-foot concolor fir tree was adorned with a red, white and blue ribbon. The tree will be harvested around Thanksgiving, before going to Washington D.C.
Korson said the selection is a great honor, and the tree has been the talk of the area.
“Everyone's pretty excited that a tree from Sidney, Michigan is going to be in the Blue Room at the White House,” he said.
