Massachusetts Agricultural Highlights, 1 988 



CHRISTMAS TREES 



ACREAGE: 6,000 acres, estimated 



PREDOMINANT SPECIES: spruces and firs 



PRODUCTION: 50,000 trees harvested in 1988 and expected to steadily increase. 



MARKET OUTLET: 95% of the trees are direct marketed at roadside. 



Production: Most Massachusetts, grown Christmas Trees are planted as seedling on farms, but a small 

 percentage comes from natural stands. Depending on the species, it takes approximately eight years to grow a 

 tree to the average retail sales height of feet. The Massachusett's harvest is estimated tobe 50,000 trees. 

 Spruces and firs dominate the market. 



Farms producing: The Massachusetts industry is dominated by nearly 500 small operators most of which is 

 family operated. Producers grow Christmas trees on a part-time basis or to supplement other farm related 

 enterprises. 



Market Outlet: Growers market 95 percent of their trees at roadside to retail cusomers. Many growers 

 open their tree farms as "choose and cut" to customers who want to select their own Christmas trees. 



Distribution of Christmas Tree Farms 



COUNTY GROWERS ACRES 



WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS 



Source: Massachusetts Christmas Tree Association 



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