Eric and Gloria Sundback have just turned out a grand champion Christmas tree for a record fourth time -- which means their West Virginia tree farm will again provide a two-story fir for the Blue Room of the White House this Christmas. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
The physical work has gotten tougher in recent years, but Eric Sundback, 82, still operates about 30 of 100 acres with his wife, focusing on tree genetics. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
Eric and Gloria Sundback have traveled tens of thousands of miles to collect seeds for their tree farm. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
Gathering the seeds for their genetically engineered trees can be hard work. Gloria Sundback is good at swiping them from squirrels, which can crack 10 pine cones a minute. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
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The national Christmas tree grand champion for 2009, which the Sundbacks grew on their 100-acre tree farm in Shepherdstown, W.Va. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
