General Grant Tree - The US National Christmas tree

Nations Xmas Tree General Grant, originally uploaded by papa rotzi.

The General Grant tree is the third largest tree in the world and the second largest of the Giant Sequoias.

In 1867 it was names after General Ulysses S. Grant who later became the 18th President of the United States.

In 1962 US President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed this tree the “National Christmas Tree”.

In 1956 US President Dwight D. Eisenhower gave the tree the designation of “National Shrine” as a memorial to all those lost in war.

Height 81 meters
Diameter 8.85 meters
Circumference at base 32.8 meters
Estimated age 1,650 years
Volume 47,850 cubic feet

Links..
http://www.sequoia.national-park.com/info.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Grant_tree