As we are entering the holiday season I find that I have Christmas trees on the brain. The lovely lights and cherished ornaments are the centerpiece of many homes and bring light to the dark days.
According to Wikipedia, the first tree farm in the United States opened for business in Trenton, NJ in the year 1901. The Christmas tree farm, however, did not take off in popularity until the 1940’s due to the accessibility and abundance found in nature. The traditional tree farm offers the option to cut it yourself on site and sometimes trees are sold with the root ball bagged and intact for replanting after the holidays. Besides being our living festive decoration, what are the other benefits of Christmas tree farms?
Each acre of a tree farm can produce oxygen for over 18 people every day while providing soil stabilization and habitat for many creatures!
The most popular varieties of Christmas tree, per Bing, are the Balsam, Douglas, and Frasier Firs along with the Scotch pine and Blue Spruce. Not only are they shaped beautifully but they are also known to have the richest aromas.
To find the perfect Christmas tree farm near you please visit the Michigan Christmas Tree Association website.
I, personally, have never been to a Christmas tree farm (I am planning to visit Bill Botti’s Clinton Trail Tree Farm in Eaton Rapids). The tree traditions in my family saw us high in the Colorado Mountains, hiking through thigh-deep snow and wandering for hours until we found the perfect tree for our home. It is a yearly outing I deeply miss. Thankfully, families in Michigan can also harvest their own on the Huron-Manistee National Forest with the proper permit.
And, if you are like me and cannot keep a Christmas tree alive through the new year, check out this Michigan State Extension article on this very topic!
No matter what holiday you celebrate, I hope the joy of the season warms you.
