Nation’s Christmas tree to make tour stop at Autry National Center

The 65-foot Sierra white fir destined for the White House as the nation’s official Christmas tree will first make a stop at the Autry National Center near Griffith Park, organizers announced this week.

The stop will be one of many for the white fir -- scheduled to be cut down Saturday in the remote Stanislaus National Forest in Central California -- on its trek to the White House. Before the tree heads east, organizers will take it on a 20-day tour of 12 cities in California.

It is just the fourth time the state has provided the “The People’s Tree” since the tradition was started in 1964, according to the announcement from U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Coordinator Maria Benech.

On Nov. 13, the white fir will be on display in the Autry National Center parking lot from 9 to 11 a.m.

-- Jason Wells, Times Community News

Photo: A cyclist in front of the Autry National Center. Credit: Raul Roa / Times Community News