SIDNEY, Mi. (WOWO) For the first time since 1985, a Michigan-grown Christmas tree has been displayed in the White House. An 18-foot concolor fir from Korson’s Tree Farm in Sidney, Michigan, now fills the Blue Room for the 2025 holiday season according to Bridge Michigan.
The tree was sent to the White House after the Korson family won the National Christmas Tree Association contest. First Lady Melania Trump greeted the tree at the North Portico last week, calling it “a beautiful tree.”
Decorated under the first lady’s theme, “Home is where the heart is,” the tree features gold stars honoring Gold Star families and ornaments representing the official bird and flower of each U.S. state and territory. The Korsons have been invited back to Washington later this month to see the tree decorated in the Blue Room.
Korson’s Tree Farm has a long history in national competitions. In 2015, the farm won the second reserve championship and gifted a Fraser fir to then-Vice President Joe Biden. Rex Korson described months of preparation leading up to the White House selection, including careful judging of trees in the summer and coordinating with White House officials in September to select the final display tree.
The 18-foot concolor fir took seven to eight years to grow, starting from a one-foot sapling. The family emphasized the significance of recognizing the sacrifices of service members through the tree’s decorations.
The Michigan-grown tree represents both a family tradition and a national honor, bringing local holiday cheer to the White House while commemorating Gold Star families across the country.
