Ranking right up there with barbecue and NASCAR, Christmas trees are a big part of what makes North Carolina distinctive.

In fact, The Old North State harvests nearly 6 million trees a year, making it the second-largest Christmas tree industry in the nation. With that in mind, we talked to two of the 1,600 growers in the state to get to the root of what you need to know when it comes to choosing the perfect tree.

Harry Yates of Yates Tree Farm in Boone grows exclusively Fraser firs, which he calls the “Cadillac” of Christmas trees. Because of their needle retention, long-lasting aroma and strong branches, which can accommodate even the heaviest ornaments, Fraser firs are the most popular type of Christmas tree in the country. Because Fraser firs require a lot of moisture, they only grow in elevations of 3,000 feet or higher, Yates says. According to the N.C. Christmas Tree Association, Fraser firs represent over 90 percent of all species grown in the state.

Yates got into the Christmas tree business in 1975 after a buddy convinced him it was a growing industry. “I planted some trees on a few acres I owned,” he says. “By 1985 I was doing it full time.” Today, Yates is a wholesaler, with tree farms in Watauga and Ashe Counties as well as Tennessee. He sells between 20,000 and 30,000 trees to churches, civic centers and garden centers in 13 states.

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer and looking for an alternative to the Fraser fir, you may want to check out Helms Christmas Tree Farm in Vale, N.C. Proprietor Henry Helms, 67, explains that because he’s located in the lower elevations of the Piedmont, Fraser firs won’t grow on his seven-acre farm. Instead, he grows a variety of other trees, including Carolina Sapphire, Eastern Red Cedar, White Pine, and, his personal favorite – Leland Cypress. “It’s got a very pretty shape and aroma,” he says.

Helms has about 8,000 trees on his acreage, and runs a “choose and cut” operation, in which families select and cut down their own Christmas tree. “It’s a growing trend that’s become a family tradition,” says Helms.

Types of Trees
Carolina Sapphire: Steely blue needles with dense, lacy foliage. Gives off a unique, fruity aroma, similar to a cross between lemon and mint.

Eastern Red Cedar: Dark, shiny green leaves are sticky to the touch. Pleasant scent, but can dry out quickly.

Fraser Fir: Dark, green, flattened needles, usually about 1-inch long; excellent needle retention, nice scent and strong branches that turn upward.

Leyland Cypress: Foliage is dark green and very soft and pliable. It has a light scent and upright branches with a feathery appearance.

White Pine: Slender branches with blue-green needles that normally grow to about 3 inches long. Has a very full, dense appearance, good needle retention and gives off little or no aroma.

Tree Care and Safety

• Remove a thin disk (1/4- to 1/2-inch) off the trunk before placing the tree in a water-holding stand.
• A 6- to 8-foot tree can use up to a quart of water per day. Check the water level frequently.
• Place your tree away from fireplaces, radiators, television sets and other heat sources. These elements can prematurely dry out your tree and cause a fire hazard.
• Always turn off all decorations before going to bed at night or anytime you leave home.

More info:

• Harry Yates of Yates Christmas Trees and Landscaping, 828-264-7574.
• Henry Helms at Helms Christmas Tree Farm, 704-276-1835.