Chris Moran of Vanderwalk Farms in Mendon, Mass., tells how he lost 500 young Christmas trees on the farm this year due to unusually dry conditions in the Northeast. (Credit: WBZ-TV)
Christmas trees are a central part of the holiday celebration.
Between 25 and 30 million Christmas trees are sold in the United States each year, according to the National Christmas Tree Association.
While walking around one of America’s Christmas tree farms, you can encounter several different types of trees: Fraser firs, balsamic and Douglas fir trees all among the most popular to buy.
While visiting a farm to pick out a Christmas tree is a tradition that is still very much alive in many American families, artificial trees have been an option that many have embraced for a variety of reasons.
Read on to learn about number-based Christmas trees.
Every holiday season, families gather to choose and decorate their Christmas tree. (iStock/iStock)
- 1,500 farms in the US grow Christmas trees
- There are 350 million Christmas trees growing on farms in the United States
- For each harvested tree, one or three more are planted in its place
- On average, it takes seven years to grow a tree
- Real Christmas trees are 100% recyclable
- The average price of a Christmas tree in 2024 is between $80 and $100
- 26% of respondents plan to buy a real Christmas tree in 2024
1. 1,500 farms in the US grow Christmas trees
Farms across the country are growing Christmas trees to keep up with the demand for the real product.
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, there are 15,000 farms in the United States.
According to the source, Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Washington grow the most trees in the country.
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This industry employs thousands of full-time and part-time workers. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, about 100,000 people are employed full-time or part-time on Christmas tree farms nationwide.
2. There are 350 million Christmas trees growing on farms in the United States
Not all planted trees are harvested every year.
Growing trees is a long process and it takes several years for an average sized tree to be ready for harvest.
On average, 350 million trees grow here farms across the country.
About 350 million Christmas trees grow on farms in the United States each year. (iStock/iStock)
Several sources, including AgAmerica, report that about 1,500 Christmas trees can be planted on each acre of land.
3. One to three more are planted for each harvested tree
Every year, Christmas trees are cut between the end of November and the beginning of December.
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According to the National Christmas Tree Association, one to three seeds are planted for every tree harvested each year.
Seedlings are not planted in the ground immediately. In fact, they are planted only the following spring.
Every year, millions of people head to Christmas tree farms to pick a Christmas tree to display in their home or business. (iStock/iStock)
4. On average, it takes seven years to grow a tree
Trees come in many different shapes, sizes and varieties, so their growing time varies.
If you’ve ever thought about growing your own Christmas trees, keep in mind that it takes an average of seven years to grow a tree six to seven feet tall, according to the National Christmas Tree Association.
According to the source, in some cases it can take even 15 years to grow a tree that tall.
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Of course, there are individual cases when trees are grown much longer.
One example of this is Rockefeller Center tree in New York.
On average, it takes about seven years for a Christmas tree to grow to the traditional height to be placed on the farm. (iStock/iStock)
Each year, head gardener Eric Pause selects a Norway spruce tree about 75 feet tall and brings it to Rockefeller Center for display.
2024 tree with West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, weighs 11 tons, is 74 feet tall, and is about 70 years old.
5. Real Christmas trees are 100% recyclable
Real Christmas trees are 100% recyclable, notes the Real Christmas Tree Board on its website.
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, there are more than 4,000 local Christmas tree recycling programs across the United States.
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The process for recycling a Christmas tree at the end of the holiday season really varies depending on your location, but in general, many places offer curbside pickup or have recycling centers where you can drop off your tree for free, according to the source.
Other environmental benefits of Christmas trees include that as they grow, they provide habitat for wildlife and produce oxygen, notes the Real Christmas Tree Board.
Christmas trees are recyclable, although the exact disposal steps vary depending on where you live. (iStock/iStock)
6. The average cost of a Christmas tree in 2024 is between $80 and $100
Walking around the Christmas tree farm, you will surely see trees with different price tags.
There are many different factors that can affect the price of a Christmas tree, including the type of tree, its quality, and its size.
On average, families can expect to spend $80 to $100 on a Christmas tree in 2024, according to the American Christmas Tree Association.
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This is, of course, a small part of the holiday pie.
According to a National Retail Federation consumer survey by Proper Insights & Analytics, the average person will spend $902 on Christmas in 2024. This number includes cost of christmas presents as well as food, decorations and other seasonal items.
Trees are just one of the many expenses associated with the holiday season. (iStock/iStock)
That number is up $25 per person from last year.
7. 26% of people plan to buy a real Christmas tree in 2024
Many families still keep the tradition of taking the kids to a Christmas tree farm and picking out a real tree, but the artificial tree is on the rise.
According to Statista, 26% of consumers said they would put up a real Christmas tree in 2024, while 46% said they would put up an artificial Christmas tree.
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There are many reasons why people choose real wood over faux wood, including the smell of pine, tradition, and just the general authenticity of real wood.
Artificial trees have become popular due to their convenience and long-term affordability.
