# The National Tree

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{{Infobox television
| image                = The_National_Tree_Film.jpg
| image_size           =
| image_alt            = 
| caption              = DVD release poster
| genre                = 
| creator              = 
| based_on             = 
| writer               = J.B. White
| screenplay           = 
| story                = 
| director             = [Graeme Campbell](/source/Graeme_Campbell_(director))
| starring             = [Evan Williams](/source/Evan_Williams_(actor))<br />[Andrew McCarthy](/source/Andrew_McCarthy)<br />[Kari Matchett](/source/Kari_Matchett)<br />[Paula Brancati](/source/Paula_Brancati)
| narrator             = 
| theme_music_composer = 
| country              = United States, Canada
| language             = English
| num_episodes         = 
| producer             = David Till
| editor               = Ralph Brunjes
| cinematography       = François Dagenais
| runtime              = 88 minutes
| company              = QVF Productions<br />Cypress Point Productions
| budget               = 
| network              = [Hallmark Channel](/source/Hallmark_Channel)
| released             = {{Start date|2009|11|28}}
}}
'''''The National Tree''''' is a 2009 American-Canadian [made-for-television](/source/television_film) [drama film](/source/drama_(film_and_television)) by [Graeme Campbell](/source/Graeme_Campbell_(director)).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lowry |first1=Brian |title=The National Tree |url=https://variety.com/2009/tv/reviews/the-national-tree-1200477267/ |website=Variety |date=27 November 2009 |access-date=20 June 2022}}</ref> It features [Andrew McCarthy](/source/Andrew_McCarthy) and [Evan Williams](/source/Evan_Williams_(actor)) as father and son on a road-trip from [Oregon](/source/Oregon) to [Washington, D.C.](/source/Washington%2C_D.C.) transporting their own [Sitka Spruce](/source/Sitka_Spruce) tree on a truck to be planted across from the [White House](/source/White_House) on [Thanksgiving](/source/Thanksgiving). The film was produced and aired by [Hallmark Channel](/source/Hallmark_Channel).

==Plot==
Seventeen-year-old Rock Burdock wins a nationwide contest for his tree to be planted across the White House. Faith Russell, marketing representative of the company Box of Toys who is in charge of the project, visits Rock and his father Corey. Corey planted the tree in their garden when Rock was born. He has reservations about the idea of transporting his tree cross country, but agrees under the condition that they deliver the tree themselves. While father and son drive the truck, Faith follows them most of the time in her car. Father and son are unable to strengthen their bonding and further dissensions arise along the way. However, Rock films the entire trip on camera and posts it on his [vlog](/source/vlog). This gathers more and more fans on the internet and on the road and even causes some media coverage. Rock's internet acquaintance and love interest Katie joins Rock on the way. Together they reach Washington, D.C. on Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, Faith's boss secretly changed the plan. He wants to repeat the contest every year and therefore decides to erect the tree rather than planting it. After Faith's attempts to persuade her boss fail, the team now cuffs Rock to the tree and protest against its destruction. Using their media attention soon more people support their protest. Finally the President of the United States calls the park ranger on his cell phone and tells him to plant the tree. Later Rock, Corey, Faith and Katie are invited to attend the Christmas lighting of the tree by the President.

==Cast==
* [Andrew McCarthy](/source/Andrew_McCarthy) as Corey Burdock
* [Evan Williams](/source/Evan_Williams_(actor)) as Rock Burdock
* [Kari Matchett](/source/Kari_Matchett) as Faith Russell
* [Paula Brancati](/source/Paula_Brancati) as Katie
* [Jayne Eastwood](/source/Jayne_Eastwood) as Lana
* [Ted Atherton](/source/Ted_Atherton) as Aaron
* Craig Eldridge as Jim
* Trent McMullen as Hank
* Vas Saranga as Ash
* Amanda Joy Lim as Ming
* Kristina Nicoll as Belinda
* Jean Daigle as Eddie
* B.J. McQueen as Trucker
* Bubba as [DC Police](/source/Metropolitan_Police_Department_of_the_District_of_Columbia) Officer
* Joanne Reece as Secretary

==Production==
The film was produced on locations in the United States and Canada.

==Reception==
''[The Dove Foundation](/source/The_Dove_Foundation)'' gave the film a negative rating.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rolfe |first1=Donna |title=The National Tree |url=https://dove.org/review/8509-the-national-tree/ |website=Dove |access-date=16 July 2025}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.hallmarkdrama.com/national-tree Official website]
* {{IMDb title|1420568|The National Tree}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|national_tree|The National Tree}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:National Tree, The}}
Category:2009 television films
Category:2009 films
Category:Canadian drama television films
Category:Christmas television films
Category:English-language Canadian films
Category:Films set in Oregon
Category:Films set in Idaho
Category:Films set in Nebraska
Category:Films set in Chicago
Category:Films set in Washington, D.C.
Category:Films about trees
Category:Hallmark Channel original films
Category:Films directed by Graeme Campbell (director)
Category:2009 Canadian films

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [The National Tree](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_National_Tree) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_National_Tree?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.