White House Christmas tree arrives

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- A horse-drawn wagon pulled up to the White House Friday, carrying the 19-foot balsam fir that will grace the Blue Room for the holiday season, observers said.

The Los Angeles Times said the 18-year-old tree from a farm near Neshkoro, Wis., was presented to first lady Michelle Obama, with daughters Malia and Sasha and first pooch Bo in tow. It was harvested by growers Tom and Sue Shroeder last week and shipped to Washington.

Some 100,000 visitors are expected to view the tree, which will be decorated to honor Blue Star families.

Not to be outdone, the Capitol will boast a 650-foot Sierra white fir from the central Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, the Times reported. That tree is due to arrive Monday. The architect of the Capitol said the tree will be decorated to the theme "California Shines."