The Triangle
Look At
|
 CHRISTMAS TREES ARE BIG BUSINESS FOR NC
North Carolina produces over 15 percent of all the real Christmas trees in the U.S. and is first in the nation in terms of revenue generated per tree. Only the state of Oregon harvests more trees. Projected 1998 wholesale sales for the state are over $100 million.
The Frazer fir is the most popular Christmas tree in North America and represents over 90 percent of all those grown in North Carolina. An estimated 50 million fir trees are planted on 25,000 acres in our state's higher elevations. The tree can be identified by its soft, pliant needles with a silvery underside, fragrant aroma and long-lasting needle retention. Norway spruce, white pine, Virginia pine, and Leyland cypress are other species which are grown and sold in this area.
It can take as many as 15 years to raise a Christmas tree to maturity, but the average growing time is 7 years. Before the 1950s, most family trees came from the forest. Today over 98 percent are plantation grown. The 1997 White House Christmas Tree was a Frazer fir from Grassy Creek, NC.
Triangle families can buy the perfect tree at garden centers or from entrepreneurs on corner lots, some with fanciful names such as Booger Mountain Farms or Pop 'n Son. In addition, the North Carolina Farmers Market (off Lake Wheeler Road) offers hundreds of trees as well as boxwood and holly wreaths, mistletoe and white pine roping. Cut-your-own farms are located nearby for the more adventurous.
THE RELOCATION HELP DESK
E-mail the Webmaster! |
COPYRIGHT 1999-2003