The Christmas tree tradition came to America with German immigrants in the 1800s. Early families cut trees from nearby woods. Today’s market relies on commercial farms, but they’re not spread evenly across the map.
This map, created by @MetricMaps, plots tree farms as red dots and shows how far people live from them. According to the data, 92% of U.S. families are within 40 miles (64 km) of a Christmas tree farm. The Pacific Northwest and Appalachian regions have the densest clusters.
Take a look at the county breakdown, and you’ll see how concentrated production really is. Clackamas County in Oregon has over 15,000 acres (6070ha) of land dedicated to growing Christmas trees. That’s roughly 11,000 football fields of conifers!
USDA Agriculture Census data shows Oregon and North Carolina together account for up to 60 percent of cut Christmas trees sold nationwide. Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, and Washington grew three-quarters (73%) of all Christmas trees. The county numbers on the map above tell exactly where most trees come from.
Clackamas County OR sits at the top. Ashe County NC comes next, then Marion County OR and Missaukee County MI. The rest of the leading counties include Alleghany NC, Benton OR, Avery NC, Polk OR, Columbia PA, Lake CA, Jackson WI, Oceana MI, Grayson VA, Watauga NC, Linn OR, and Lane OR.
Different regions grow different species. Oregon’s Cascade foothills and Coast Range produce Douglas firs and Noble firs because these trees like cool temperatures and regular rain. North Carolina’s Blue RidgeMountain farms grow Fraser firs at higher elevations. Michigan’s glacial soils work well for Scotch pines and spruces since water drains through sandy ground quickly.
Commercial Christmas tree farming needs specific conditions. Trees require cold winters to go dormant, steady rainfall during growing season, soil that won’t waterlog, and sufficient warm days to put on new growth annually. Not many places check all those boxes.
Ashe County in North Carolina built much of its local economy around tree farming. Hundreds of residents work in the industry. Visit during summer and you’ll see hillsides covered with Fraser firs being trimmed and shaped for December sales.
Many trees travel considerable distances before reaching customers. Farms harvest, bundle, and truck trees to markets in regions without local production.
Check your tree’s tag this year or ask your lot attendant about its origin. Your Douglas fir or Fraser fir might have grown for seven years in Oregon or North Carolina before arriving at your door.
