Commercial Christmas tree production is often associated with colder climates and northern regions. Yet, Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states – including the South – with North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas among the leading producers, based on 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture data (Figure 1 and Table 1). Based on 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture data, the value of sales from cultivated trees in the South exceeded $160 million.
Table 1. Christmas Tree Production by Southeastern State, Ranked
| State | Number of Trees Cut |
| North Carolina | 3,208,419 |
| Virginia | 578,777 |
| Georgia | 63,915 |
| Texas | 43,668 |
| Alabama | 24,586 |
| South Carolina | 23,317 |
| Oklahoma | 21,352 |
| Tennessee | 12,129 |
| Mississippi | 11,175 |
| Louisiana | 10,825 |
| Arkansas | 8,410 |
| Florida | 8,353 |
| Kentucky | 4,748 |
Note: Data collected from the USDA Census of Agriculture, 2022.
Virginia Pine, Afghan Pine, Leyland Cypress, Eastern Red Cedar, Fraser Fir, and Carolina Sapphire are some of the tree varieties you will find growing in the South. Families relate buying a real Christmas tree to making memories or to family traditions. For some, it is the scent of the tree, the process of picking a tree, and bringing it home. For others, it is an environmentally conscious choice as these trees, when sustainably produced and managed, can have beneficial impacts on soil and wildlife.
Christmas trees are primarily sold in local retail stores and on Christmas tree farms, boosting local economies. Prices vary by height, variety, and whether you buy at a local nursery, a retailer, or at a Christmas farm. Expect prices to be close to $80 as the starting price for a 5-6 ft tree, up to $400 for a 12-13 ft tree at a farm. You can also buy wreaths, garlands, and participate in festive activities at the venues throughout November and December. Yet, the industry is challenged with the American Christmas Tree Association (ACTA) reporting that U.S. households prefer an artificial tree; 83% of households surveyed in the period Oct. 3-5, 2025, representing 1,033 adults of 18 years of age or older in the US. Prices for artificial trees range from $50 for a 6ft tree all the way up to $2,500 for a 12ft high-end variety.
However, there is something ‘special’ about picking out a tree, like you carry back home a piece of community. So, if you want to find where to pick your next tree, organize a family trip, or simply learn more about tree production, visit a Christmas Tree farm near you—some are counting down the days to open to the public. More information can be found at your state’s Christmas Tree Association, providing you with a list of member farms, e.g., the Texas Christmas Tree Growers’ Association, the Virginia Christmas Tree Growers’ Association, and the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association. Other sources are the Southern Christmas Trees Association and the National Christmas Tree Association. And once the season is over, you can always check if there is a Christmas tree recycling program in your area. The National Christmas Tree Association offers a recycling guide.
Links:
Bampasidou, Maria. “Christmas Trees: A Festive Specialty Crop in the Southeast.” Southern Ag Today 5(46.5). November 14, 2025. Permalink
