Korson’s Tree Farms in Sidney, MI, hosted Dale Haney, White House superintendent of grounds, along with family, employees and local community groups at their farm in late September. Haney was there to select the official White House Christmas tree for 2025.
Korson’s were the Grand Champions for 2025, having won the National Tree Contest earlier in summer. The tree selected was a monstrous, majestic Concolor fir, with rich, dark green foliage and fairly sharp taper.
A short program took place, with speakers including Rick Dungey, executive director of National Christmas Tree Association; Rex and Jessica Korson; Amy Start, Michigan Christmas Tree Association; Bill Lindberg, Michigan State University Extension; Dr. Bert Cregg, Michigan State; Michigan State Sen. Rick Outman; Congressman John Moolenar; Dale Haney; and Pastor Ed Milam, First Congregational Church.
Rex Korson and his son Jack walked Haney around some of the trees tall enough to be displayed in the Blue Room. They inspected close to 10 potential trees, measuring and looking inside branches, walking all around. Haney is a very exacting Christmas tree selector, and for good reason. The Blue Room tree is displayed in the middle of the room so there can be no “bad sides” and it needs to reach the 18.5-foot ceiling to mask the electrical wiring from the removed chandelier.
The National Tree Contest and the tradition of the winner providing the official White House Christmas tree began in 1966.
A panel of experts and peers, in a two-stage scoring system, determine who grew the best tree from among seven different species categories. We are very happy the staff of the White House comes to the farm of the Grand Champion each year to select their fresh, farm-grown Christmas trees.
The Korson family with Dale Haney, White House superintendent of grounds. Photo courtesy of NCTA
Korson’s Tree Farms is a second-generation evergreen farm. Wayne and Vicki Korson established the farm in 1973. Wayne served on the Michigan Christmas Tree Association Board of Directors for 10 years (as president for two years). He was the national director representing Michigan to the NCTA for six years. He was inducted into the Michigan Christmas Tree Association Hall of Fame in 2010.
In 2003, Rex and Jessica Korson bought the business from his parents. The couple have two sons, Jack and Thomas. Jack is currently working on the farm and plans to become the third-generation owner. Thomas is attending Northwood University.
Rex served on the Michigan Christmas Tree Association Board of Directors for nine years, three of which he was president. Jessica is currently on the MCTA Board serving as vice president.
Rex has served on many advisory committees throughout the industry including the Christmas Tree Promotion Board. He was elected chair of the board for a term. This national board promotes research within the industry as well as the national marketing campaigns such as “It’s Christmas. Keep it Real.” and “Joy to the Real.”
Korson’s Tree Farms began competing and won the Michigan Christmas Tree Association’s Grand Champion tree in 2007. Korson’s took first place in the spruce category at the 2009 NCTA Tree Competition. Korson’s won Reserve Grand Champion in 2010 and presented the tree to the Michigan governor in 2012. Korson’s won Grand Champion again in 2013 and presented the governor’s tree.
Korson’s secured a Reserve Grand Champion win in the 2015 National Tree Contest. The farm provided seven Christmas trees to the vice president’s residence that year.
In 2017, Korson’s won the Michigan Grand Champion tree and presented another tree to the governor.
The Korsons competed again in 2024 at the state level and took home the Reserve Grand Champion tree honor. They also won the Grand and Reserve Grand Champion award in the wreath competition. They will provide Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer trees and wreaths in December.
The Korsons would like to thank the entire staff on the farm. Without the help of every person on the farm, they could not have won this prestigious award.
