ST. LOUIS - (October 16, 2007) -- A beautiful Fraser fir from Laurel Springs, N.C. will be the official White House Christmas Tree this year.

The Blue Room Christmas Tree will be officially presented to First Lady Laura Bush by Joe Freeman and Linda Jones of Mistletoe Meadows Christmas Tree Farm. Freeman earned this honor by winning the National Christmas Tree Association's (NCTA) national Christmas Tree contest held in August 2006 in Portland, Ore., and becoming Grand Champion.

The Blue Room Christmas Tree was handpicked by White House Chief Usher Stephen Rochon, Superintendent of Grounds Irv Williams, Grounds Foreman Mike Lawn and White House Florist Nancy Clarke on Oct. 16, 2007. The tree will be cut in late November and sent to Washington, D.C.

"To represent North Carolina and the entire Christmas Tree industry is such an honor," said Freeman. "I still can't quite believe it. Only one tree out of the 30 million plus sold across America ends up being the Official White House Christmas Tree."

Freeman started Mistletoe Meadows back in 1988 at the age of 27. The Blue Room Tree selected was one of the first trees planted on the farm. "I have always wanted to farm," he says. "My Christmas Tree farm offers a way for me to work outside in nature while building a thriving business with a positive economic future.” Mistletoe Meadows supplies wholesale Christmas Trees and wreaths, as well as balled & burlapped nursery stock. Freeman also operates a retail lot in Asheboro, N.C.

The presentation to the White House is currently scheduled to take place on Nov. 26, 2007 (subject to change). The tree will be set up in the Blue Room later that day, where the White House Floral Department staff and volunteers will decorate it.

Members of the National Christmas Tree Association have presented the official White House Christmas Tree for display in the Blue Room since 1966. For Real Christmas Tree selection and care tips, or to find a Christmas Tree farm or lot in your area, visit www.realchristmastrees.org.

• See our 2006 White House Tree Presentation

• See our 2005 White House Tree Presentation

• See our 2004 White House Tree Presentation

• See our 2003 White House Tree Presentation

• See our 2002 White House Tree Presentation

• See our 2001 White House Tree Presentation

• See our 2000 White House Tree Presentation

• See our 1999 White House Tree Presentation

• See our 1998 White House Tree Presentation

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