Wisconsin News

A Wisconsin tree will decorate the White House blue room this holiday season

September 29, 2026

A fir tree from Wisconsin will be towering in the center of the White House Blue Room this holiday season.

The tree is from a farm in Endeavor called Silent Night Evergreens. Owner David Chapman said this isn’t his first time providing a Christmas tree for the White House.

“The whole presentation to the White House is an incredible experience,” Chapman said. “Even though we’ve been eligible to do it a few times as a business and as a family, it’s still an incredible honor. The experience is different every time and special every time.”

The Blue Room Christmas Tree tradition began in 1912 when President William Howard Taft’s children placed a Christmas tree there. The tradition became more formalized when First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy began selecting an annual theme for the tree’s decorations.

Tree farmers must win two competitions in order to send their tree to the White House. First they must win a competition at the state level before qualifying for the national competition. Then the National Christmas Tree Association will name a grand champion at their biannual convention.

Superintendent of the White House grounds Dale Haney will go to the winning farm and select a tree for the blue room. On Sept. 21, he selected a 30 foot tall concolor tree. It will have to be trimmed to about 18.5 feet to fit inside.

Chapman, a third generation farmer, said they have been crowned as grand champions during previous presidencies. He was 7 years old when his grandparents first won the competition during the Reagan administration.

“We got to watch Reagan fly off in his helicopter from the front lawn of the White House,” he said. “I think those memories just definitely stick with you.”

Silent Night Evergreens also won in 1998 and 2003, during the Clinton and Bush administrations. Chapman said the last time they won was during President Donald Trump’s first term in 2017.

He said he’s gotten to meet every president except for Trump due to a phone call the president had at the time. The trees are always presented to the current First Lady, who is traditionally in charge of holiday decorations.

“The presidents, I think they always try to (make it to the presentation) if they can,” he said. “So luckily, we’ve been able to meet a few of them.”

Wisconsin Christmas tree farms have won the national competition 10 times. Executive Director of the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association Sarah Glitto said North Carolina and Pennsylvania are the only other states with more wins. Wisconsin is a top producer of Christmas trees in the U.S.

“Anytime that we have one of our own going to the White House, it is really exciting to have that recognition,” Glitto said.

She said trees that win the national competition have to meet the parameters of what consumers look for in the perfect Christmas tree — it has to be a specific height, have no holes, and be straight.

Chapman said this is the first time his kids will be able to join him. And said he’s excited to present the tree to the White House in November.

“For a small tree farm in Endeavor, I know that’s always been my fun fact anywhere I’ve been in my career,” Chapman said. “That’s usually something that most people can’t say: (I’ve gotten) to meet a few presidents.”