Christmas Tree Production
in North Carolina
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Christmas Tree Production
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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 foot elevation.
At lower elevations in North Carolina, other Christmas tree species are grown including Virginia Pine and redcedar. 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 whole-sale buyer's guide, and a list of choose-and-cut farms in western North Carolina, contact the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association at 1.800.8789.
For more information on Christmas tree production in eastern North Carolina, contact Dennis Hazel at 919.515.5573.
Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center
455 Research Drive
Mills River, NC 28759
Phone: 828.684.3562 ~ Fax: 828.684.8715
Web Crafter: Anne S. Napier ~ Email: anne_napier@ncsu.edu
Updated November 8, 2007