An estimated 50 million Fraser fir Christmas trees are grown in North Carolina. Not only that but there are more than 1,600 tree farm growers in our state. No doubt, Christmas tree farms are big business for North Carolina.
WFMY News 2 has put together a one-stop shop to help you find, and safely care for your Christmas tree. Below you'll find the following: a list to Christmas Tree Farms in NC, explore the tradition of having a tree in your home, types of trees available grown locally, how to care for your tree, fire safety tips and demonstrations, and even buying an artificial tree.
It's A Tradition!
For many families in our state it's a tradition to load up the car with the kids and travel to the mountains to find that perfect tree. Much like the classic holiday movie, Christmas Vacation as The Griswold Family sets out to find their tree.
How It All Got Started
In ancient times people decorated doors and windows with evergreen to ward off witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness. But the tradition of the Christmas tree can be credited to Germany in the 16th century when devout Christians brought trees into their homes. Martin Luther was believed to be the first to add lighted candles to a tree according to history.com. The first record of a Christmas tree on display was in the 1830s by German settlers in Pennsylvania.
In-Depth: How We Got Our Christmas Traditions
Check it out: Christmas Trees Explained
Making The Trek
FACT: There are about 400 'Choose and Cut' Christmas Tree Farms in NC
There are hundreds of Christmas Tree Farms to choose from in our state. Below you'll find a list by county and contact information plus links to help you decide the farm that's right for you.
NC Christmas Tree Choose & Cut Farms
Alleghany County
Lil' Grandfather Choose & Cut Laurel Springs 336-372-9613
McInnis Tree Farms Sparta 336-657-8072
Motsinger Trees at Pine Shadows Farm Roaring Gap 336-363-2065
Papa Goats Tree Farm Sparta 336-372-3055
Reeves Ridge Christmas Trees Sparta 336-372-7312
Sam & Edna Miller Christmas TreesLaurel Springs 336-372-8725
Ashe County
Check it out: Map View
Lee's Trees West Jefferson 336-846-1288
Lyn-Lynn's Trees, Wreaths & Christmas Crafts Warrensville 336-384-2451
Mistletoe Meadows Christmas Trees Laurel Springs 336-982-9754
Peak Farms Jefferson 336-982-6082
Reindeer Crossing Choose-And-Cut Jefferson 336-846-5249
RRR Laurel Knob Tree Farm Todd 828-264-6488
Shady Rest Tree Farm Glendale Springs 336-982-2031
West End Wreaths West Jefferson 336-846-7300
Weaver Tree Farm West Jefferson 336-246-7951
Avery County
Cartner Christmas Tree Farm Newland 828-733-1641
Doug Clark Nursery Newland 828-733-4850
Snowy Mountain Christmas Tree FarmCrossnore 828-733-9589
Sugar Plum Farm Plumtree 828-765-0019
Two D's Nursery Crossnore 828-733-6686
Buncombe County
Reeves Tree Farm Leicester 828-779-0115
Sandy Hollar Farms Leicester 828-683-3645
Haywood County
Boyd Mountain Christmas Tree FarmWaynesville 828-926-8888
Mehaffey Tree Farm Waynesville 828-926-1424
Smoky Mountain Christmas Tree FarmWaynesville 828-400-2933
Jackson County
Buck Knob Farm Cullowhee 828-743-0248
Lincoln County
Helms Christmas Tree Farm Vale 704-276-1835
Macon County
Osage Farms, Inc. Scaly Mountain 828-526-3989
Sweetwater Christmas Tree Farm Franklin 828-524-5412
Madison County
Frosty Mountain Christmas Trees Marshall 828-656-8100
Mitchell County
Little Switzerland Christmas Tree Farms Little Switzerland 828-385-0378
Little Switzerland Fraser Firs, LLC Spruce Pine 828-766-2683
Snow Creek Christmas Trees Bakersville 828-688-1096
Stonewall Christmas Trees Bakersville 828-688-1122
Watauga County
Appalachian Evergreens, Inc. Blowing Rock, 828-264-1609
Big Ridge Tree Farm Boone 828-963-5151
Brown's Choose & Cut Boone 828-264-2800
Circle C Tree Farms Boone 828-265-7504
Clawson's Choose & Cut Boone 828-264-3162
Cool Springs Nursery Deep Gap 828-387-6139
Cornett Deal Christmas Tree Farm Boone 828-964-6322
Ewing's Fraser Fir Farm Vilas 828-297-2856
Good Shepherd Trees Boone 704-607-2300
Greene Tree Farm Boone 828-773-1451
J&D Tree Farm Boone 828-262-1845
Panoramic View Christmas Tree FarmBoone 828-262-3836
What Fir! Tree Farm Boone 828-297-4646
FACT: North Carolina produces more than 19% of Christmas trees in the U.S.
Selecting A Christmas Tree
Many different types of Christmas trees are grown in our state. Here's a list of some of the most popular trees in our state.
Fraser Fir
These trees are known to keep their dark blue-green needles for a long time. They have a pleasant scent, and they ship well.
FACT: The Fraser fir is the most popular Christmas tree in North America and is shipped into every state in the U.S. as well as the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and Japan among other places around the world.
Virginia Pine
This is one of the most popular Christmas tree in the South. Virginia pines are stout and dense, and they respond well to decorations.
FACT: Certain species of trees last longer and remain fresh for longer than others. Some of the best include: Fraser fir, Balsam fir, Scotch pine, and Douglas-fir.
White Pine
White pines don't handle heavy ornaments very well, but they retain their soft, flexible needles for a long time. They also don't have much of a scent. White pines are bluish-green in color.
FACT:More than a dozen Christmas tree species is grown in North Carolina
White Spruce
This type of tree is ideal for decorating, as it holds ornaments very well. However, its needles let off a bad smell when crushed. A white spruce is green or bluish-green in color.
What To Look For When Picking Out A Tree
You should ask a few questions before buying a Christmas tree from a lot or when cutting it yourself at a farm. Below you'll find a few tips before you put down any money:
- Make sure the tree has been well cared for in transit. Was it baled up for a long period of time? Does it have broken branches?
- Look to see if the tree is free of insects?
- If the Christmas tree seller does not accept credit cards it could be a sign that the merchant is trying to sell left-over trees
- Pay attention to the ceiling height in your house where the tree will be placed, remember to calculate the size of the tree stand with measurements
- Pick a tree with fresh, green needles, than do not fall off when touched
- Smell the tree and shake it to see if a lot of needles fall off before buying
- Needles on fresh fir trees break crisply when bent sharply with your fingers
- Trees that have lost a lot of moisture are more pliable and tend to bend without breaking
- Needles on fresh pines do not break unless they are VERY dry
- Withered bark on the outer twigs and branches indicates excessive dryness
- Carry the tree by the root ball and not the trunk to avoid damaging the roots
- Getting The Tree Home & Caring For It
- Even if the tree has been cut at the base, it's a good idea to make an additional cut to it before placing in stand
- A tree that has been cut for more than six to eight hours needs to be cut again before it's placed in the tree stand
- Cut 2'' from the base of the trunk before immediately placing it into a stand
- Look for stability to hold a tree upright when picking out a tree stand
- Look for a model designed to deliver a constant supply of water straight to the base of the tree
- You also want a model stand that allows easy adjustments to accommodate the natural slant of the tree in the stand
- Stands should have a minimum capacity of 1 gallon of water
- Make sure you check water daily and make sure the base of the tree is always covered
- If you buy a Christmas tree but don't plan to put it up right away keep it in a cool place and cut it before placing it into the stand. Keep it out of the wind and sun.
- The larger the tree the more likely you will need to water it more often a day for the first week
- Trees typically take a lot of water the first week or two then slow down but make sure it doesn't dry out
IMPORTANT: If your tree runs out of water and starts to dry out you'll need to take it down and make a fresh cut one the base of the stem.
Keep Your Tree From Falling Over
We found a few youtube videos that could help you find ways to help keep your tree from toppling over the holidays. The videos could be cheesy but you'll get the point! If you have children make sure they can't get close enough to pull the branches or ornaments down. Also consider a pet gate around the tree if you have animals.
Make a Base For Your Stand
Use Guide Wires For Your Tree
Christmas Tree Fire Safety
A Christmas tree placed too closely to a heat source like a fireplace or a candle results in one in every six fires during the holiday season. In 2007-2011, fire departments responded to an average of 230 home Christmas tree fires per year.
FACT: One of every 40 reported home fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in a death.
A dry Christmas tree is a dangerous tree. But there are many things you can do to make sure your home is safe from a tree fire.
- Make sure the tree is three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights
- Make sure the tree does not block a way out of the house
- Be sure to add water daily to the tree stand
- Make sure both indoor and outdoor holiday lights are tested in a lab by the UL or ETL/ITSNA for safety
- Throw out any damaged lights
- Make sure lights used for indoor are marked for indoor use
- Make sure any lights used for outside are marked for outdoor use
- Make sure you turn off all holiday lights before going to sleep
- Check holiday lights for frayed wires or excessive wear
- Replace any string of lights with worn or broke cords or loose bulb connections
- Do not connect any more than three strands of mini string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs of screw-in bulbs
- Never light a tree with candles
- Keep candles away from your Christmas tree and other holiday decorations
FACT:Two of every five home Christmas tree fires started in the living room, family room, or den.
WATCH: Fire Demonstration Check out this video by the NFPA/UL as it demonstrates the flammability of a dry Christmas tree vs. a tree water regularly
DOWNLOAD IT: Holiday Christmas Tree Safety Handout
Artificial vs. Real Christmas Trees
It's bound to come up at any holiday party the age old debate of a real vs. fake Christmas trees. The very idea could very well give Clark Griswold in the movie Christmas Vacation a heart attack. But ultimately you have to decide what the best option for your family. Maybe keeping a tree watered daily is too much for a family on the go. There are many options when it comes to buying an artificial Christmas tree.
Buying An Artificial Tree
You should keep a few things in mind when shopping for an artificial tree:
- Think of an artificial Christmas tree as an investment that you can keep for many years. If that's the case then you might prefer a tree with the most branch tips. It will give your tree a fuller look.
- Inspect the tree and look closely to see if you can see the center pole. If you can see the pole then it might not be a high-quality tree.
- Choose a tree that has a strong stand to make sure it doesn't topple over or lean to one side.
- Look to see if the stand comes with rubber feet to protect your carpet or wooden floors.
- All trees should have hinged branches to keep set up simple.
- You might want to consider a prelit tree. It's a great way to lessen the setup and cleanup. However prelit trees are generally more expensive.
- If you choose a prelit tree look for a label that reads "continuous on" or "with burnout protection." The label mean that if a single bulb goes out that the rest of the lights stay on.
- Fake trees usually come in one of three widths including: full, slim, or pencil. They also come in a range of heights.
- Trees also come with two types of branches either hinged or hook-in.
- The tree will usually last about 10 years. Some trees could even come with a warranty.
WATCH IT: 2 Week Window For Buying Artificial Christmas Trees
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