Strong winds knock over National Christmas Tree near White House

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 40-foot-tall National Christmas Tree near the White House was no match for strong winds Tuesday, toppling to the ground as gusts reached nearly 50 mph.

A crane had returned the tree to its upright position Tuesday night and a new cable was put in place to secure the tree, NBC News reports .

The National Park Service said in a news release earlier this month that the cut 40-foot Norway spruce from Monongahela National Forest was brought to the White House Ellipse to replace the previous tree, which had been planted in October 2021 but had developed a disease causing its needles to turn brown and fall off.

The incident apparently is not expected to delay the annual tree lighting ceremony , which is scheduled for Thursday.

“As the saying goes, ‘the show must go on’ and the NPS and our event partners are looking at all possibilities to ensure a successful event this year,” an agency spokesperson said in a statement to ABC News .