NC fir becomes White House Christmas tree

   
The Winston-Salem Journal reports that the 20-foot tree weighing more than half a ton began its journey from the River Ridge Tree Farm in Ashe County to Washington on Friday.
   
Jessie Davis says the tree means a lot to his family. Davis says he and his late father-in-law planted the sapling 23 years ago.
   
Davis and his family will see that the tree arrives safely. They will present the tree as the official White House tree for the Blue Room in a ceremony on Sunday.
   
This is the third time in the past four years that farmers in Ashe or Alleghany counties have been selected to supply the White House tree.