Strong winds topple National Christmas Tree (AP)

WASHINGTON – Strong winds have toppled the National Christmas Tree.

The Washington, D.C., Fire and EMS department reports that the tree fell over Saturday morning. There were no injuries or other damage.

The National Christmas Tree is a Colorado blue spruce that was planted on the Ellipse, near the White House, in 1978. It was 15 years old and 30 feet tall when it was planted. Now it's 47 years old and stood about 42 feet.

National Park Service spokesman Bill Line told The Washington Post that a successor has already been picked and it will be planted in coming weeks.

He said previous National Christmas Trees have also been felled by winds, in part because they are not as sheltered from the elements as they would be in a forest.