Where does official Christmas tree come from and why it always that place?

The official Christmas tree of the United States is selected from a different national forest each year. The selection process begins in July, when the U.S. Forest Service sends out a call for nominations to all 155 national forests. Each forest is invited to submit one candidate tree that meets the following criteria:

* Must be a coniferous tree (pine, fir, spruce, or hemlock).

* Must be at least 60 feet tall.

* Must have a symmetrical shape.

* Must be healthy and free of disease.

A committee of experts from the U.S. Forest Service and other organizations then reviews the nominations and selects the winning tree. The winning tree is cut down and transported to Washington, D.C., where it is decorated and displayed on the Ellipse, just south of the White House.

Why is the official Christmas tree always from a different place?

The tradition of rotating the location of the official Christmas tree began in 1923, when President Calvin Coolidge requested a tree from the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota. The idea behind the rotation is to spread holiday cheer to different parts of the country and to showcase the beauty of America's national forests.

In addition, rotating the location of the official Christmas tree helps to promote tourism in the winning community. When people come to see the tree, they often stay to explore the surrounding area, which can boost the local economy.