Written on behalf of PA Christmas Tree Growers Association

Each year 28-33 million American families celebrate the holiday season witha fresh, farm-grown Christmas tree.

The tradition of Christmas trees began in Europe in the early 1500s. As noted in the 1790 U.S. Census, one-third of the Pennsylvania population was of German descent, making the traditions of decorating a Christmas tree widespread across the state. During this time, families would find the perfect tree for Christmas by going to nearby wooded areas.

In 1851, an enterprising New Yorker hauled several loads of wilderness-cut trees to New York City, thus establishing the first Christmas tree market in the United States. Finally, in 1901, the first Christmas tree farm in the United States was established in New Jersey. Soon the industry grew and a need for sources of seed became paramount.

Pennsylvania entered the booming Christmas tree market in 1938, when the first Christmas tree nursery was established in Indiana County, PA. Soon thereafter, the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association (PCTGA) was founded in 1944 when a group of growers came together to discuss pest issues, marketing, and industry conditions. To this day, PA growers continue to gather to learn how to create the best product possible.

Pennsylvania currently ranks first in the nation for the number of Christmas tree farms and ranks fourth in the nation in number of Christmas trees cut each year and acres in production. In addition, PA has approximately 2,000 farms covering nearly 45,000 acres that produce 1.7 million cut trees each year. These farms have more than $13.9 million in sales annually.

In recent years, the most popular Christmas tree in PA has been the Douglas Fir and Fraser Fir. Their popularity has been determined by consumer vote at the 2005, 2006 & 2007 PA Farm Shows. Pennsylvania is also known for originating the practice of shearing Christmas trees. A grower in Columbia County developed a method of shearing on a Scotch Pine that produced a shapely tree. To this day, most trees grown in Pennsylvania, and across the nation are sheared annually.

The popularity of Pennsylvanian-grown trees reaches beyond our state borders. Each year since 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association holds a Christmas tree contest for growers across the nation. A winning tree is chosen and the growers of the winning tree are asked to donate the White House Christmas tree. In 2006, Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, Pennsylvania were Grand Champions in the national contest and had the honor of donating trees for the Blue Room and several other rooms and offices of the White House. Crystal Spring Tree Farm is the fifth farm from Pennsylvania to have trees grace the White House.

In addition, Pennsylvania residents benefit from the high-quality trees that come from their very own soil. 98% of all Christmas trees in the nation are grown on farms. Real trees are a renewable and recyclable resource. The 1 million acres of Christmas trees in the United States translates into oxygen for 18 million people every day. In addition, 3 seedlings are planted in place of each cut tree.

On average, a Christmas tree takes seven to twelve years to mature, with an average of 1 foot of growth per year. When buying a tree at a retail lot, consumers should check to make sure that the tree was kept in a dry, cool location, preferably in the shade. To test the freshness of the tree, hold a branch, pull and allow the branch to slip through your fingers. Most, if not all, needles should stay on the tree.

Once the perfect tree has been chosen, take it home immediately. If a fresh-cut was not made on your tree at the farm or retail lot, make a fresh cut on the bottom of your tree. Use a reservoir-type stand, preferably at least 1-gallon. Do not remove bark, as this is the most efficient part of the tree to take up and retain water. Add water immediately and check water levels at least once a day, if not twice. The water level should never go below the tree base. Try to keep your tree away from heat sources to avoid the tree drying out at a faster rate. With proper care and water, a real Christmas tree will last 4-6 weeks in your home.

1  Ann Kirk Davis, "The Wonderful World of Christmas Trees" First Edition, 1998, pp 4-5, 10-11, 17-21
2  2002 USDA Agricultural Census
3  A Guide to Pennsylvania-Grown Christmas Trees & Holiday Family Adventure, 2006

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed