CHRISTMAS TREES
Each year in the U.S. approximately 33 to 36 million Christmas trees are produced, Oregon is the leading producing state; harvesting 6.6 million in 2002. North Carolina and Michigan follow Oregon with 2.9 and 2.3 million trees respectively. Washington, Wisconsin, California and Pennsylvania are also important producers.
There are more than 15,000 Christmas tree growers in U.S., from which 12,000 are cut-your-own farms. However 82% of Christmas trees purchased were pre-cut and only 18% were cut your own. In 2002, 21% of U.S. households had a real tree.
The most important varieties are Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Virginia pine, Balsam fir and white pine. Selling directly to the consumer has become a major market for many Christmas tree farms. 
