Campbell Vaughn: Where do all these live Christmas trees come from?

My wife is champing at the bit. As much as I try to say, “Dear, please can we just do one season at a time?” the results will be the same. She will have me pulling out Christmas stuff at the moment I wake up the day after Thanksgiving and then preparing to put a Christmas tree in front of any window or corner of the house where there is not a piece of furniture blocking the way.

“What happened to just having one tree?” fell on deaf ears. If you try to call me this weekend, you know what I am doing. If you stop by for a visit, be prepared to work.

Last year, I did get a ‘Little Gem’ Magnolia in a 15-gallon container to put out on my patio to decorate my favorite cool season sitting spot. While sitting through one of those terrible online Zoom meetings during COVID-19 hiding, I even made an angel with a picture of my face on it to adorn the top of my live outdoor Christmas décor. My son rolled his eyes big time at that one.

I really am a big fan of live Christmas trees. I love the smell of a Fraser fir enough to where, when I was single, I would leave it up until February so I could enjoy the aroma.

Where do all these live Christmas trees come from? Ninety-eight percent of all Christmas trees are grown on farms, while only 2% are cut from the wild. It is fun to get out and find a wild native tree, but in our area we are limited to which trees we can find in the woods. The Eastern red cedar is the most common native Christmas tree found in our area and makes for great décor, but handling it can get you itching.

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Farm-raised Christmas trees are generally grown in cooler climates. The bulk of trees we buy off lots come from South Carolina’s brother to the north, the Tar Heel State. The most commonly purchased Christmas tree in our area is the Fraser fir. From seedling to harvest, a Fraser fir takes 6-8 years to head to market. Average cost for the farmer from planting to harvest is about $9,000-$13,000per acre. The average price of a 6’ Frazier Christmas tree is around $100.

Christmas tree farming is work. These conical trees require shearing to keep the proper dense form until they reach the right size for harvest. I have spent a day shearing trees during a summer in college and it is real hard work. It is a lot like all-day training to be a samurai warrior with lots of blisters.

Leyland Cypress is one of the most popular trees grown in the south and is the No. 1 Christmas tree grown in Georgia. Our state grows about 1,400 acres of Christmas trees at a value of just over $9 million. The Virginia pine has also been a staple for the Christmas tree industry in the south since its inception. The branches are stout and woody making it suitable for ornament hanging.

Another plant growing in popularity for the Yuletide season is the Arizona blue cypress. This desert cypress is a steeple shaped tree with a pale-green to gray-green color that can almost have a silver color at times. The Arizona blue cypress also has a pleasing aroma that some describe as a cross between lemon and mint. This plant would also be a good plant to buy in a nursery pot and plant it in the yard after the Christmas season is over. Reaching 20-30 feet in height, it is a relatively fast grower and is great for a specimen tree or to use as a screening plant.

Remember that cut Christmas trees drink a lot of water, so it is important to keep them hydrated thoroughly when they reach your home. In the first week, a Christmas tree in your home will consume as much as a gallon of water per day. Try and keep the tree away from heating vents in your home. The warm, dry air will have your yuletide greenery wilted and shedding before the turtle doves and French hens find a good nesting spot.

Enjoy the decorating. It is a great time to spend with family. If things look like they are going south, I do have a pretty good hiding spot in my wood shop.

Reach Campbell Vaughn, the UGA Agriculture and Natural Resource agent for Richmond County, by e-mailing augusta@uga.edu.

Where to get a Christmas tree

STILL CREEK TREE FARM, at 442 Pine Log Road in Beech Island, S.C. – opens Nov. 19; noon-dark Friday-Sunday, and by appointment weekdays.

Trees: Fraser firs, Virginia pine, White pine, Leyland Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, cedar and potted trees of landscape variety. Wreaths also available. Pricing is from $10-$250.

Call (706) 951-2324 or find them on Facebook.

GURLEY’S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, 65 Williston Road, Beech Island, S.C. – Open Nov. 19-21 from noon-6 p.m.; Thanksgiving weekend hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 26-27 and 1-6 p.m. Nov. 28; Nov. 22-Dec. 23 call or text for hours Monday-Wednesday, 2-6 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 1-6 p.m. Sunday.

Trees: Virginia pine, red cedar and Leyland cypress for the choosing; pre-cut Fraser firs from North Carolina

Call or text (706) 829-5904 or find Gurley’s on Facebook.

GAY’S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, 2335 Tobacco Road in Augusta – Opens Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; 2-6 p.m. Monday-Friday (closed Thanksgiving Day), 9 a.m.-7 p.m. the Friday after Thanksgiving, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 p.m. until dark Sundays

Trees: Leyland Cypress, Murray Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, Frasier firs. Wreaths and other Christmas items available. Guests can also enjoy a hayride and bonfire as well as hot chocolate and popcorn on the weekends.

Learn more by calling the farm at (706) 798-3731 or visit gacta.com/farms/gays-christmas-tree-farm.

CLARKS HILL CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, at 39 Bennie Dorn Road, Clarks Hill, S.C. – opens Saturday, Nov. 20, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; 1-5:30 p.m. Sundays, 2-5:30 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturdays; with special hours for Thanksgiving Day from 2-5:30 p.m. and the Friday after Thanksgiving from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Trees: Virginia pine, Leyland Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, Murray Cypress, Clemson Greenspire and Blue Ice. Wreaths, garlands, centerpieces, tree stands, bows and kissing balls are also for sale.

Find more information at ClarksHillChristmasTreeFarm.com, on Facebook or call (803) 637-3797.

TOM SAWYER’S CHRISTMAS TREES, 402 Uncle Duck Road in Monetta, S.C. – Opens Nov. 21; 1-5:30 p.m. Sunday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, with special hours from 10 a.m.-dark the Friday after Thanksgiving

Trees: Virginia pine, white pine, cedar, Carolina Sapphire and Leyland Cypress; pre-cut Fraser firs from North Carolina will be available.

Learn more at www.tomsawyerschristmastrees.com/ or call (803) 673-4520.

SNOWY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS TREES operates three lots in the Augusta area – opens Monday, Nov. 22; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Sunday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.

• 2816 Washington Road in front of the Publix (National Hills)

• 3818 Washington Road in front of Carolina Pottery (Martinez)

• 850 Blanchard Road in Evans

Trees: Fraser firs, flocked trees, wreaths will also be available.

Call (706) 699-0224 or visit snowymountainchristmastrees.com for more information.

JAKE’S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, 1509 Hwy. 25 N in Waynesboro (4 miles out on the left) – opens Nov. 26 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; then 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, 1-6 p.m. Sunday and 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Trees: Virginia pine, Leyland cypress, Murray cypress and Blue Ice. Prices start at $29 for 5-foot trees, $34 for 6-foot tree, $39 for 7-foot, $44 for 8-foot and $47 for 9-foot or taller trees. Tree stands are also for sale.

Contact owner Ken Stephens at (706) 526-2206 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Georgia grows 1,400 acres of Christmas trees, worth $9 million, yearly