On Wednesday, September 24, 2014 White House staff traveled to Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, PA to select the Christmas decoration centerpiece for the Blue Room of the White House. It didn’t take them long to find just what they were looking for—a distinctive 20-foot-tall Concolor fir tree. The tree was handpicked by Angela Reid, White House Usher, along with White House Superintendent of Grounds Dale Haney and Chief Horticulturist Jim Adams with the National Park Service. Haney said this year's selection was a rare find and he is thrilled to bring it to Washington, D.C.

"It just says Christmas all over it,” said Haney. “It's really unusual to find this species of tree this tall so to be able to bring it into the White House will be spectacular."  The 2014 tree will be only the third time since 1966 that a Concolor fir is displayed in the Blue Room.

On Friday, November 28, 2014 the chosen tree will be carried by horse-drawn carriage to the North Portico of the White House. First Lady Michelle Obama and, more than likely, daughters Sasha and Malia as well as family dogs “Bo” and "Sunny," will receive the tree from Chris Botek and his family.

There is no greater achievement in our business than the opportunities we’ve been blessed with,” said Chris. “We’ve always taken great pride in the quality of our trees and we feel truly honored.

Learn more about the White House Christmas Tree Winners.

Real Christmas Trees Benefit the Environment
While they're growing, Real Christmas Trees support life by absorbing carbon dioxide and other gases and emitting fresh oxygen. The farms that grow Christmas Trees stabilize soil, protect water supplies and provide refuge for wildlife while creating scenic green belts. Often, Christmas Trees are grown on soil that doesn't support other crops. See what the experts say about Real Christmas Trees.

Real Christmas Trees Are Renewable
Real Christmas Trees are grown on farms just like any other agricultural crop. To ensure a constant supply, Christmas Tree growers plant one to three new seedlings for every tree they harvest. On the other hand, artificial trees are a petroleum-based product manufactured primarily in Chinese factories. The average family uses an artificial tree for only six to nine years before throwing it away, where it will remain in a landfill for centuries after disposal.

Real Christmas Trees Are Recyclable
Real Christmas Trees are biodegradable, which means they can be easily reused or recycled for mulch and other purposes. Learn about the many ways that Real Christmas Trees are being recycled and reused in communities nationwide.

Listen to the broadcast by NPR News's Adam Cole, Tree-Incarnation: Christmas Trees Return To Nature (A Poem)