The winter holidays are filled with many festive decorations, and for some, that include Christmas trees. Artificial trees are popular in the south, due to reduced availability of tree farms compared to northern regions. However, Georgia is still the third leading producer of Christmas trees in the southeast region, with an estimated 63,915 trees cut in 2022, just behind North Carolina and Virginia (USDA Census of Agriculture data, 2022).
In addition to providing a fun and meaningful experience, opting for a live tree supports local agriculture and the environment. Growing these trees may seems environmentally counterproductive since they are cut down, but each harvested tree is replaced. Trees typically take 6-8 years to reach a desirable height (American Farm Bureau). During that time, they absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, provide shelter for birds and small mammals, and diverse ground cover offers food for pollinators and other insects.
Presently, 292,050 acres of land in the U.S. are utilized for Christmas tree production (USDA Census of Agriculture data, 2022) containing an estimated 350 million conifer trees (Virginia Tech). Dedicating land to continuous tree production ensures this environmentally beneficial habitat is preserved. And, once you’re done with your tree, they’re completely compostable.
Living in the Metro Atlanta area, you may assume Christmas tree farms are scarcer than in rural counties. Many businesses sell pre-cut trees transported from neighboring states, benefitting the agriculture industry overall, with some even donating to charity. However, if you want to support local agriculture and enjoy the experience of cutting a tree yourself, a tree farm may be closer to you than you think. In 2022, Newton County produced the greatest reported quantity of cut Christmas trees in Georgia (7,500 cut trees), followed by Henry County (6,195 cut trees), which borders DeKalb (USDA Census of Agriculture data, 2022). Multiple tree farms are located under an hour, some within 30 minutes, of our extension office on Memorial Drive. With many people making longer treks to go apple picking in the fall, it may be a worthwhile adventure to travel to a tree farm if Christmas trees are part of your winter holiday celebration.
For those who have never cut your own tree before, here are some tips and what to expect:
- Measure the height of your ceiling before heading to the tree farm. If you plan on adding any sort of topper to your tree, account for the space.
- Your tree will last for approximately 3-4 weeks after cutting, potentially longer with optimal care.
- Virginia Pine, Leyland Cypress, Eastern Red Cedar, Fraser Fir, and Carolina Sapphire are the most common varieties grown in the south, each with their own unique scent and shape (Guide to differences between trees). Tree prices vary with size and variety.
- Many local tree farms still offer pre-cut trees, but many choose experience of venturing into the field to cut one down themselves.
- Farms will provide a cart and often a saw, but it never hurts to bring your own saw if you have one.
- After you select and cut your tree and wheel it back, they pass it through a shaker to get rid of loose limbs and branches.
- Be prepared with a tree stand to secure the tree upright when you get home. Fill it with water and add more whenever it gets low to prevent your tree from drying out.
Sources & Additional Information:
USDA Census of Agriculture data, 2022
American Farm Bureau: How do Christmas Trees Grow?
NC State: Environmental Impacts of Christmas Trees
Penn State Extension: Tips for Selection and Care of Cut Christmas Trees
NC State: Establishing a Christmas Tree Plantation
Georgia Christmas Tree Association: Types and History
Virginia Tech: Real trees benefit the environment beyond the holiday season
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