By Elyse Apel
The Center Square

As the holiday season ramps up, Michigan stands as one of the country’s leading Christmas tree producers.

This year, the multimillion-dollar holiday industry will supply about 2 million fresh trees to the national market. That ranks it third in the nation for the number of Christmas trees harvested, which will bring more than $45 million in income to Christmas tree farms throughout the state.

“Michigan’s Christmas tree industry delivers more than just holiday cheer,” said Amy Start, executive director of the Michigan Christmas Tree Association. “It generates jobs, supports environmental sustainability, and provides joy to millions of families during the holiday season. It means a lot to know Gov. Whitmer supports our industry and celebrates our role as a memory maker for Michiganders.”

Throughout Michigan, there are more than 500 Christmas tree farms with a total of 33,000 acres of land. Those farms provide a wide variety of different services, from large wholesale farms to small family-run farms selling choose and cut or pre-cut trees.

This year, even the White House will sport one of the Michigan-grown Christmas trees produced. This is the first time a Michigan tree has been chosen since 1984.

Located in the Blue Room, the official White House Christmas Tree is an 18-feet concolor fir from a small farm in Sidney, Michigan. Its decorations commemorate Gold Star Families with gold stars and ornaments representing the official bird and flower of every U.S. state and territory.

While Michigan provides trees nationally, it also serves many families in Michigan. For those families, a trip to their local Christmas tree farm has become part of their holiday traditions.

“You not only get a fresh, fragrant, beautiful tree as the centerpiece of your celebrations, but at many locations you also get to experience activities like hayrides or sleigh rides, petting farms, visits with Santa and more,” said Tim Boring, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “We continue to see that Michiganders are interested in connecting directly with agriculture, and [these] establishments . . . are really the fabric of our state culture this time of year.”

Michigan grows and sells more than a dozen Christmas tree varieties to wholesale stores. That is more species than any other state. In addition to the millions it makes on Christmas tree sales, the industry makes additional $5 million in sales of wreaths, cut boughs, garland and other fresh greenery products.

Only Oregon and North Carolina surpass Michigan in Christmas tree production.