National Christmas Tree in US is killed by 'transplant shock'

The Colorado blue spruce passed away “due to complications resulting from transplant shock” just 14 months after it was planted in the Ellipse field outside the White House, the National Park Service said Friday.

Born on a tree farm in New Jersey, it replaced a similar tree knocked down in a windstorm after 33 years.

A successor tree — also a Colorado blue spruce, from an undisclosed state adjacent to the U.S. capital — has been identified, and it will be planted in late October, the federal agency said.

The ceremonial lighting of the National Christmas Tree is a Washington tradition that dates back to 1923 when then-president Calvin Coolidge flicked the switch on a fir tree festooned with 2,500 electric bulbs.

Last Christmas, in a nod to 21st century energy efficiency, the tree featured 65 sets of programmable color-changing LED lights as well as 160 starburst ornaments in an heirloom topper design.

SHARE CLOSE
Blogger		Google+
Live Journal		Plurk
Stumble Upon

Tweet

	PREVIOUS ARTICLE
	Antarctic waters changing due to climate: study

NEXT ARTICLE
Critics ask if Vogue vow more hype than health

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email

Submit