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White House selects Christmas tree from Shawano

Posted at 5:58 PM, Sep 25, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-25 18:58:06-04

Representatives from the White House visited Northeast Wisconsin Monday to select the official White House Christmas tree with the help of Wisconsin tree growers.

Jim, David and Diane Chapman of Silent Night Evergreens helped White House Chief Usher Timothy Harleth and White House Superintendent of Grounds Dale Haney find the perfect tree in rural Shawano.

Jim, David and Diane, from Endeavor, Wisconsin, were named the Grand Champion in the National Christmas Tree Association's Christmas tree contest. The award includes presenting a Christmas tree to the White House.

The Chapman's have previously provided trees to the White House in 1998 and 2003.

The Chapman's helped Harleth and Haney choose a 19 1/2 foot tall Balsam fir to be displayed in the Blue Room of the White House.

They chose the tree from the farm of a fellow Wisconsin grower because a tree for the Blue Room must be at least 18 1/2 feet tall and most commercial Christmas tree farms don't have trees that big.

"We are so honored to be selected again as the National Grand Champion!" said Diane Chapman. "Being a guest of the White House should only be a dream for small farmers like us, and we are very excited about our trip to Washington."

2017 will mark the 52nd year a member of the National Christmas Tree Association has presented the official White House Christmas tree.