 Local
Christmas tree farmers have prepared for this season all
year long.
The Christmas tree industry is one of the top three agricultural
industries in Watauga County, said Jim Hamilton, Watauga
County Extension Agent for Christmas Trees and Horticulture.
In addition to tree sales, Christmas trees have a significant
impact the area’s economy through the increase of
short-term employment and the attraction of tourists,
which brings money to local hotels, restaurants and retail
stores, Hamilton said.
“Last year around 13,000 Christmas trees were sold,”
Hamilton said. “Around $1–1.5 million [in
sales].”
After hotel, shopping, gasoline and meal receipts for
November and December last year were calculated, the overall
economic impact of Christmas trees was estimated to be
$4 million.
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| Jacque Lenz | The Appalachian |
| Bill Austin owns a Choose-and-Cut
farm. He said he enjoys the holiday visitors. |
Hamilton said there are around 130 growers in Watauga County,
out of 1,600 total growers in western North Carolina. Watauga
County is fourth in tree production, behind Ashe, Avery and
Alleghany counties.
Trees may be sold wholesale or at retail price through “Choose
and Cut” farms.
“Choose and Cuts basically market their trees in the
field and for the ‘farm experience,’” Hamilton
said. “Wholesale or commercial growers have buyers
all over the U.S. who they trade with.”
“Christmas trees from the mountains go to all 50 states,”
Hamilton said.
Christmas tree season fills the “tourism gap”
between leaf season and ski season, Hamilton said.
This year, Christmas trees experienced increased growth due
to plenty of rain.
“[The rain] has been great for Christmas trees,”
Hamilton said. “Two years ago we had the drought …
the drought and warm weather negatively impact the trees.
“This year, with the cool, wet spring and summer the
trees have really put on a lot of growth [and] pests have
been down,” Hamilton said.
Many come to this area for the Fraser fir, which Hamilton
calls “the Cadillac of Christmas trees.” The
Fraser fir is native to this area and grows well here. Vice
President Dick Cheney selects a N.C. Fraser fir for his home
each Christmas.
Bill and Peggy Austin have a Choose and Cut farm on Russ
Cornett Road in Boone.
“I think Christmas trees are replacing some of the
farming we used to have here,” Bill Austin said. “We’ve
about quit growing vegetables here anymore, and tobacco’s
going out, too.”
Last year the Austins sold 300–400 trees. Their Fraser
firs are sold according to height at $5 a foot.
“I enjoy seeing the children come,” Austin said.
“They always seem to have a good time getting the tree.”
“I think it’s going to be one of the best seasons,”
J.D. Norris, owner of Norris Tree Farm, said. Norris Tree
Farm is located on Meat Camp Road in Boone. Norris sold about
350 trees last year, most of them to tourists.
“We enjoy meeting the people,” he said. “A
lot of the people we’ve met have been coming for several
years.”
For locations of local farms, visit the Watauga County Nurserymen’s
Association Web site at www.watauganurserymen.org.
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