High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Sources of the National Christmas Tree in the United States have varied over time. The first National Christmas Tree was erected and lit by President Calvin Coolidge in 1923. As of 2011, the tradition has continued uninterrupted. The trees have come from a wide variety of sources, were placed or planted in different places on the grounds of the President`s Park or the White House, have varied in height, and have sometimes been a cut tree and sometimes a living planted tree.