Governor Gretchen Whitmer today proclaimed December as Michigan Christmas Tree Month, recognizing the vital economic, environmental, and social benefits of the state’s Christmas tree industry.
“Michigan is a special place to be during the holidays, and so many of our cherished traditions are all about coming together, including picking out a Christmas tree grown right here in Michigan with our families,” said Governor Whitmer. “As the holiday season moves into full swing, Christmas Tree Month is a great reminder to every Michigander of the importance of supporting local farmers and agricultural communities, who are foundational to the economic strength of their communities and work hard every day to bring us all some holiday cheer.”
Michigan ranks third in the nation for the number of Christmas trees harvested, supplying about 2 million fresh trees – with an annual net value of $30-$40 million – to the national market each year. There are more than 560 Christmas tree farms on a combined 37,000 acres across the state, ranging from large wholesale farms, to choose and cut farms, to small farms with a few acres selling pre-cut trees.
“As families return to their favorite Christmas traditions, I’m excited about the foundational role our local agricultural businesses play in those traditions,” said Gary McDowell, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development director. “It’s incredible to see generations of Michiganders come together to pick out the perfect real Christmas trees at farms across Michigan. With a real Christmas tree, you get a fresh, fragrant, beautiful tree as the centerpiece of your holiday decorations.”
Michigan grows and sells more than nine major Christmas tree species on a wholesale level, more than any other state. The most popular types of Christmas trees available in Michigan include Scotch Pine, White Pine, Blue Spruce, Black Hills Spruce, Balsam Fir, Concolor Fir, Douglas Fir and Fraser Fir. In addition to Christmas trees, the industry makes an additional $4.1 million in the sales of wreaths, cut boughs, garland and other related items.
Real Christmas trees are also a great environmental choice. They grow on rocky soil typically unsuitable for other crops. They also provide extra woodland for animals, create oxygen, and take carbon dioxide out of the air, helping combat global warming. Christmas trees can also be recycled. The best way to recycle your tree after Christmas is to chip it into mulch, which can be used for landscaping projects. Christmas trees take six to eight years to reach marketable height. For every Christmas tree harvested, Michigan growers’ plant three new trees for future harvests.
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