White House Christmas tree 2018: Donald and Melania Trump host traditional delivery event

Melania Trump receives White House Christmas tree

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have taken delivery of the annual White House Christmas tree.

The annual event is watched around the world, with this year’s tree standing 19 and a half feet tall.

The North Carolina-grown tree arrived via horse and carriage as is tradition.

The tradition of the White House Christmas tree dates back to 1889, when President Benjamin Harrison placed the first tree in the Yellow Room, decorated with candles.

Mountain Top Fraser Fir’s Larry Smith was named “Grand Champion” in the National Christmas Tree Association’s contest last summer, earning the right to have his tree in the White House.

“I feel as though I have finally won the Super Bowl. It’s a great honor to represent the Christmas tree industry by providing the Official White House Christmas Tree in 2018,” Mr Smith said.

To see how the event unfolded

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[19 November 2018 17:11 · Chris Stevenson]

Donald Trump will make an appearance as the White House receives its annual Christmas tree. 

It is unusual for the president to be present at the tree's arrival - but he will be there at 1pm.

[19 November 2018 17:11 · Chris Stevenson]

The tree will arrive at the North Portico of the White House by horse and carriage, continuing an annual tradition

[19 November 2018 17:13 · Chris Stevenson]

Earning the right to be the tree which will stand in the Blue Room is a competitive process.

The National Christmas Tree Association has selected every one since 1966. 

[19 November 2018 17:17 · Chris Stevenson]

This year's tree hails from Mountain Top Fraser Fir in Newland, North Carolina.

[19 November 2018 17:20 · Chris Stevenson]

Preparations for Christmas at the White House have been underway since the summer.

 

[19 November 2018 17:30 · Chris Stevenson]

Mountain Top Fraser Fir's Larry Smith was named "Grand Champion" in the tree association's contest last summer, his fifth attempt to win the honor of providing a tree to the White House, according to the National Christmas Tree Association.

[19 November 2018 17:36 · Chris Stevenson]

"I feel as though I have finally won the Super Bowl. It's a great honor to represent the Christmas tree industry by providing the Official White House Christmas Tree in 2018," Mr Smith said.

[19 November 2018 17:47 · Chris Stevenson]

The tradition of the White House Christmas tree dates back to 1889, when President Benjamin Harrison placed the first tree in the Yellow Room, according to the White House Historical Association. 

[19 November 2018 17:58 · Chris Stevenson]

The tree is said to have been placed in its now annual Blue Room in 1912

[19 November 2018 18:05 · Chris Stevenson]

This year's tree was selected in September. White House's chief usher Timothy Harleth and superintendent of grounds, Dale Haney, travelled to North Carolina to select a Fraser Fir from the "appointed field" on Larry Smith's tree farm.