Christmas Tree Production in North Carolina

Skip to Main Content | Christmas Tree Home | Production and Pest Management–Mountains / Eastern NC | Marketing and Financial Management
Consumer Information | Environment | Christmas Tree Contacts | Additional Resources | MHCR&EC Home

Christmas tree production in western North Carolina has progressed from a few individuals harvesting Fraser fir in natural stands to the plantation production of Fraser fir and other species generating $100 million yearly wholesale income. North Carolina's Christmas tree production ranks second in the nation in number of trees harvested.

There are an estimated 1,600 Christmas tree growers in western North Carolina, producing an estimated 50 million Fraser Fir Christmas trees on 25,000 acres of land. Most plantations in western North Carolina are family owned and operated. Growers sell mostly wholesale cut Christmas trees. Several growers also produce wreaths and roping and other value-added products. Some growers also have nurseries and harvest "ball and burlap" trees. Trees are shipped throughout the nation as well as into Mexico and Europe.

The number one species grown in western North Carolina is Fraser fir. Other species include white fir, Canaan fir, Colorado blue spruce, white spruce, Norway spruce, Leyland cypress and white pine. Most Christmas tree plantations in western North Carolina are above 3,000 feet elevation.

At lower elevations in North Carolina, other Christmas tree species are grown, including Leyland cypress, Virginia pine, white pine, eastern red cedar, Carolina Sapphire, and others. Christmas tree production in eastern North Carolina is all on choose-and-cut farms.

Christmas trees don't grow themselves. Most 6 - 7 foot Christmas trees have been visited over 160 times in the course of planting, fertilizing, shearing, controlling weeds, insects, and diseases, and harvesting. Much of the work is done by hand.

For information on growers' associations, a wholesale buyer's guide, and a list of choose-and-cut farms in western North Carolina, check out the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association website, call 1.800.8789, or email info@ncchristmastrees.com.

For more information on Christmas tree production and choose-and-cut farms in eastern North Carolina, check out the Eastern North Carolina Christmas Tree Association website or call 704-228-9826 or email tstowe2@carolina.rr.com.

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services also provides a list of Christmas tree farms and other information at http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/commodit/horticul/xmastree/.

Contacts for Christmas Tree Research and Programs

NC State University and NC Cooperative Extension Christmas Tree Website
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/Christmastrees/

Web Crafter: Anne S. Napier ~ Email: anne_napier@ncsu.edu

Updated November 19, 2008