WASHINGTON — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the White House, now that the official tree has arrived.
A horse-drawn wagon hauled the 20-foot white fir up the driveway to the North Portico on Friday morning.
First lady Michelle Obama, daughters Malia and Sasha, and family dogs Bo and Sunny received the tree. They circled the wagon and conferred with one another before the first lady said, ‘‘We’re taking the tree.’’
It’s tradition for the president’s wife to preside over the tree delivery on the morning after Thanksgiving.
It was chosen two months ago from the stock at Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, Pa., the winner of this year’s National Christmas Tree Association contest for the honor.
The delivery kicks off an intense few days of round-the-clock tree trimming, wreath laying and other decorating by an army of volunteers who help turn the White House into a winter wonderland.
The tree will be set up in the Blue Room — after being trimmed to fit its maximum height, 18½ feet — as the centerpiece for the holidays.