In December, a lot of families decorate their homes for the season with Christmas trees!  Some families decorate their trees using a theme each year, some decorate with ornaments from places they have traveled to, others decorate with ornaments that they have collected throughout the years and other families decorate their trees with ornaments that they make themselves!  No matter how you choose to decorate your tree, they are all beautiful!  

North Carolina ranks second in the nation when it comes to Christmas Tree production!  The most common Christmas tree variety grown in North Carolina is the Fraser Fir.  It represents over 99.4% of all species grown in North Carolina and is mainly grown in the western part of the state.  North Carolina is the second largest producer of Fraser Firs – Oregon is the number one producer.  Fraser Firs are the most popular species of Christmas tree in North America, and they are shipped into every state in the United States.  They are also shipped to the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and Japan.  Why are Fraser Firs so popular you ask?  It’s because their needles are soft to the touch and don’t shed as quickly as other species.  They also have a long lasting aroma, and have pliable (flexible) but strong branches.  Check out this video to learn more about the life-cycle of a North Carolina Fraser Fir.

Even though Fraser Firs are the most popular Christmas trees grown in North Carolina, there are other species grown as well.  Some of these species are Eastern White Pine, Virginia Pine, Red Cedar, and Leyland Cypress.  For more facts about North Carolina Christmas Trees check out this website:  https://ncchristmastrees.com/tree-facts/ 

One cool thing about living in a state that is second in the nation in Christmas tree production is that you can visit Christmas Tree Farms to find the perfect tree for your home each holiday season!  There is even a Christmas Tree Farm in Gibsonville – not far from Clover Garden!  Join Mrs. Moore as she visits Cobb’s Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Farm and shares this month’s story “Christmas Farm”

Many Christmas Tree Farms are located in the western region of North Carolina, in the mountains… but – there are Christmas Tree Farms in the eastern part of the state as well!!  The neat thing about growing Christmas Trees in different parts of the state is that you can choose from different varieties.  If you are looking to visit a Christmas Tree Farm this season, check out these resources:

North Carolina Christmas Tree Associations from NC State

A huge thank you to the Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom for the book Christmas Farm and for the Christmas Tree facts.  Thank you to the Alamance County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee for donating and sponsoring our Book Barn in our Library so our Grizzlies can learn about agriculture in and around North Carolina!   A special thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Cobb at Cobb’s Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Farm for welcoming Mrs. Moore to their farm and for allowing her to walk among the trees to record this month’s story.  They were so kind to take the time to give Mrs. Moore a tour of the operation and to explain Christmas Tree farming from planting tiny saplings to harvesting the trees.  

If you are interested in visiting Cobb’s Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Farm to pick out the perfect tree or to purchase a wreath for your door, you can find more information here.

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