Endowments Support North Carolina’s Christmas Tree Industry

North Carolina is the second-largest producer of Christmas trees in the United States, cultivating millions of trees each year for the holiday season.

The trees represent years of research, collaboration and careful investment, supported in part by an ever-expanding collective of endowments at North Carolina State University.

More than two decades ago, a small group of Christmas tree growers and alumni began establishing endowments to support industry research.

The goal was simple but far-reaching: to ensure that growers would have access to the best science, latest technology and the hands-on expertise needed to keep the industry strong.

As of 2025, 12 endowments have a combined market value of more than $415,000, and since 2008, they have generated more than $95,000 in support of industry research.

The list of endowment contributors reads like a who’s who of the industry. Among them are several NC State alumni, including Earl Deal of the College of Natural Resources, who established the Deal Family Christmas Tree Research Endowment in 2005.

Deal graduated from the college in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in forest management and worked as a professor in Wood Products Extension.

Since retiring in 1998, Deal has continued to operate Smokey Holler Tree Farm, which he opened in Laurel Springs, North Carolina in 1972 with his late wife Betsy.

Deal also now serves as chairman of the research committee for the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association, helping select which research projects to fund through the endowments.

While the College of Natural Resources manages the endowments, it allocates funds annually to the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association for project selection.

Deal and his fellow committee members review proposals from researchers and issue funds in the form of grants, often ranging from $3,000 to $8,000.

Research That Matters

Projects selected for funding reflect the industry’s most pressing needs, whether it’s postharvest quality practices or performance evaluations of certain species or pest control strategies.

Most projects funded to date have been led by NC State faculty and staff, including those in the College of Natural Resources, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Extension Forestry.

The university’s faculty and staff conduct extensive research on Christmas tree species, particularly the Fraser fir, which is a major crop in western North Carolina.

“Our research and outreach are essential to sustaining North Carolina’s Christmas tree industry, but it wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our growers, industry associations and donors,” said Robert Bardon, associate dean for Extension in the College of Natural Resources.

Thanks to a $5,000 grant distributed through the endowments, for example, the Christmas Tree Genetics Program is now studying the feeding behavior of elongate hemlock scale on Fraser firs.

Elongate hemlock scale is an invasive insect that feeds on the needles of conifer trees, causing them to lose their natural green color and look yellow or patchy.

These effects can make trees unsellable due to the visible damage and can prompt state quarantines, causing major economic losses for Christmas tree growers.

Current methods for controlling elongate hemlock scale, like chemical insecticides, have been less effective in controlling the pest due to its hard protective covering. 

Researchers will use 3D imaging to visualize elongate hemlock scale insects feeding inside fir needles, tracking their stylets and identifying the tissues they target.

Visualizing the feeding behavior of elongate hemlock scale in fir needles will help uncover how certain trees resist infestation, supporting the development of more resilient trees.

Growing Forward

What began as a small grassroots effort among a handful of North Carolina Christmas tree growers has evolved into a sustainable funding model that’s keeping the industry thriving.

For several years, the funds were modest — enough to “prime the pump,” Deal said. But the endowments continue to grow, allowing the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association to support more high-impact projects.

“It’s taken time to build up these endowments, but now we’re seeing the fruits of that patience” Deal said. “Early on, we supported smaller projects, but as the funds have grown, we’ve been able to support larger, more impactful research.”

One of the unique strengths of the funding model is its inclusivity, according to Deal. Proposals may come from any university or group conducting Christmas tree research.

“We’re open to anything,” Deal said. “The more ideas presented to us, the better — especially those that help growers directly. We’ve brought new people onto the committee, and with earnings growing, we’re ready to take on more.”

Through this approach, the endowments support a diverse portfolio of research, ultimately giving growers the tools and knowledge to thrive for years to come.

A Tradition of Giving Back

When Deal and his fellow growers established endowments, they invested in the future of North Carolina’s Christmas tree industry.

By supporting critical research, these endowments ensure growers have access to the latest science and expertise needed to protect and improve Christmas tree crops across the state.

Creating an endowment is a lasting way to give back — building a legacy that directly benefits growers, researchers and the broader community.

Every contribution, no matter the size, reflects a personal commitment to the long-term health of the industry and underscores the belief that knowledge is a valuable investment.

For those inspired by this tradition of giving, there is a meaningful opportunity to help secure a thriving future for both growers and the communities that depend on them.

To make an annual gift, click here. If you are interested in a legacy gift, please contact Jennifer Viets, director of philanthropy in the College of Natural Resources, at jlviets@ncsu.edu.