The 40-foot National Christmas Tree in Washington, DC, was damaged by strong winds, scheduled to be lit by President Joe Biden, to topple just days before the official ceremony.
The city experienced winds ranging from 10 to 20 mph, with gusts reaching 35 mph, as per Daily Beast.
National Christmas Tree Recovers for White House Ceremony
On Tuesday at around 1:00 p.m., the tree fell to the ground, prompting the use of a crane to prop it back up. The National Park Service, which is responsible for the tree, expressed hope that it would be in suitable condition for the tree lighting ceremony on Thursday. The tree had been delivered to the White House Ellipse on November 14.
Following an assessment of the tree's condition and the replacement of a snapped cable, the National Park Service confirmed it was upright again by 6:00 p.m. They reassured the public that they considered all possibilities to ensure this year's successful event.
This year's tree, a Norway spruce from West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest, broke tradition by being placed instead of planted, unlike previous years. The decision was made after a tree planted in October 2021 had to be removed due to a fungal disease.
It is common for National Christmas trees in Washington, DC, to face challenges with the strong winds. Several trees have fallen in the past, creating an exciting metaphor for some.
Critics of President Biden have already taken the opportunity to compare the fallen tree to his economic policies, even though he was not in DC at the time as he attended a memorial service in Georgia, according to The New York Times.
Cut vs. Planted Christmas Trees Debate Gains Traction
The incident with the tree resonates with those who find the early celebration of Christmas relatable. Perhaps the tree was tired or felt overwhelmed by the pressure. The debate about using a cut Christmas tree or a planted one has been ongoing, and the tree community has strong opinions.
Despite the setback, workers used a crane to set the tree upright again as the tree's lights continued to shine, maintaining holiday optimism. While initially uncertain if the original tree could still play a leading role in the ceremony, the National Park Service confirmed that it would proceed as planned.
Since first lady Grace Coolidge allowed the planting of a tree on the Ellipse by the District of Columbia Public Schools a hundred years ago, multiple National Christmas trees have fallen. The area has experienced increasingly strong winds over the years. According to weather analysis, gusts have grown in intensity since the mid-2000s.
The fallen tree occurred when Arctic air brought the coldest weather to the region since March. Winds on Tuesday frequently exceeded 30 mph, with a maximum gust of 43 mph at Reagan National Airport. While such winds are not unusual for November, the frequency of days with high wind gusts has slightly increased over the past 15 years.
Since the 1970s, National Christmas trees have been planted on the Ellipse, and some have met unfortunate fates. Previous incidents include a tree falling off a truck and another succumbing to transplant shock. Notably, at least three National Christmas trees have failed due to strong winds, including one incident in 2011.
The tree that fell on Tuesday had only been planted two weeks earlier, after replacing the 2021 tree afflicted with a fungal disease. Despite the mishap, efforts are underway to ensure a successful and festive tree-lighting ceremony, The Washington Post reported.
