WASHINGTON: America's National Christmas Tree planted near the White House has died due to complications from "transplant shock."

The National Park Service said that it removed the Colorado blue spruce from the White House grounds yesterday.

The Colorado blue spruce died of "transplant shock," it said. The tree replaced one that had stood on the Ellipse since 1978but was destroyed during a wind storm in February 2011.

The Park Service said it always has a replacement tree lined up to make sure one is in place for the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting event held each December. The new tree is also a Colorado spruce but will not be planted until late October.