Often referred to as evergreens, Christmas trees include different species of firs, spruces, and pines, all of which stay green year-round. These trees are grown and harvested in all 50 states.
Across the country, over 300,000 acres are dedicated to growing a traditional holiday sight, the Christmas tree. In 2018, more than 32 million Christmas trees were purchased to display in homes and public areas throughout the United States, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. Today, 98% of Christmas trees are grown on farms, and unlike artificial trees made from plastics, real Christmas trees can be recycled to provide benefits to the environment.
A Christmas tree can take up to 15 years to grow to 6 feet tall, so for each tree harvested, Christmas tree farmers plant one to three more seeds. On average, trees are harvested at about seven years old.
*Adopted from Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom's 'Seasons' Ag Mag.
