Family Traditions

As a forester I have a strong attachment to all trees, but one of my favorite trees is the Christmas tree. Growing up we always had a live Fraser fir tree in our house and Lisa and I have continued that tradition in our own family. There is just something about the beauty and smell of a Frazer Fir. We have taken our girls to Cross Ridge Farm in Vilas, North Carolina for many years to cut our own tree. It is an event we always look forward to. Frank and Brenda Payne own Cross Ridge Farm and we always enjoy visiting with them as much as we do picking out the Christmas tree.

Beyond the family traditions and celebration of Christmas, growing Christmas trees is a significant agribusiness in North Carolina. According to the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association:

• North Carolina has an estimated 50 million Fraser fir Christmas trees growing on over 25,000 acres.

• There are over 1,600 North Carolina Growers

• North Carolina produces over 19% of the real Christmas trees in the U.S.

• North Carolina is ranked second in the number of trees harvested.

• There are over 400 choose and cut Christmas tree farms in North Carolina

• In 2009 North Carolina Christmas tree cash receipts totaled $100 million.

As you start to prepare for the Christmas season don’t forget to include a freshly cut North Carolina Christmas tree in those plans.