Christmas Tree Research and Extension
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North Carolina State University has one of the nation’s largest and foremost Christmas tree research and extension programs.
Extension specialists Dr. Jill Sidebottom and Jeff Owen are stationed at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center in Fletcher, North Carolina, since most of the state’s $100+ million Christmas tree industry is based on Fraser fir production in the western portion of the state. Dr. Sidebottom provides support to growers on Integrated Pest Management techniques with an emphasis on minimizing pesticide use. Jeff Owen provides support for all aspects of Christmas tree culture and marketing, stressing sustainable environmentally sound practices, and encouraging a holistic approach to solving production problems. Information for Christmas tree growers, Christmas tree lot managers, and the general public may be found at the Fletcher-based Christmas Tree Production in North Carolina web site.
Extension specialist, Dr. Dennis Hazel is based on NC State University's main campus in Raleigh and provides support to Christmas tree growers east of the mountains. These growers operate Choose ‘n’ Cut farms that produce a variety of species including Virginia pine, Eastern white pine, Eastern redcedar, and Leyland Cypress. Extension specialist, Stacy Tomas (Parks Recreation and Tourism Management), also based in Raleigh, provides support on agritourism aspects of Christmas tree farms.
Christmas tree research at North Carolina State University covers all aspects of production and is collaboratively conducted across several departments. Dr. John Frampton (Forestry and Environmental Resources) leads the Christmas Tree Genetics Program that is improving the growth, quality, and pest resistance of Christmas tree species important to North Carolina including Fraser fir, Virginia pine, Eastern white pine and Eastern redcedar. Dr. Eric Hinesley (Horticultural Science) investigates numerous aspects of Christmas tree culture including post-harvest physiology and handling. Dr. Mike Benson, Dr. Larry Grand, and Dr. Kelly Ivors (all with Plant Pathology) research Christmas tree disease problems, while Fred Hain (Entomology) studies insect problems on Christmas trees.
Find out more
Extensive information on all aspects of growing and using Christmas trees can be found at the North Carolina Cooperative Extension's website, Christmas Tree Production in North Carolina.
Looking for a Christmas tree farm near you?
In the Mountains of North Carolina, visit the NC Christmas Tree Association or the NC Department of Agriculture.
In the Piedmont and Coastal Plain of North Carolina, visit the Eastern N.C. Christmas Tree Growers’ Association or the N.C. Department of Agriculture.
Outside of North Carolina, visit the National Christmas Tree Association or Captain Jack’s Christmas Tree Farm Network.
