
Some Christmas tree facts and trivia.
- The first decorated Christmas tree was in Riga, Latvia in 1510.
- In 1856 Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States, was the first President to place a Christmas tree in the White House.
- President Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the White House lawn in 1923.
- There are approximately 25-30 million Real Christmas Trees sold in the U.S. every year.
- There are close to 350 million Real Christmas Trees currently growing on Christmas Tree farms in the U.S. alone, all planted by farmers.
- There are close to 15,000 farms growing Christmas Trees in the U.S., and over 100,000 people are employed full or part-time in the industry.
- North American Real Christmas Trees are grown in all 50 states and Canada. Eighty percent (80%) of artificial trees worldwide are manufactured in China, according to the U.S. Commerce Department.
- The top Christmas Tree producing states are Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Washington.
- The most common Christmas tree species are: Balsam fir, Douglas-fir, Fraser fir, Noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine and White pine.
- Real Trees are a renewable, recyclable resource. Artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics and possible metal toxins such as lead.
- For every Real Christmas Tree harvested, 1 to 3 seedlings are planted the following spring.
- In the first week, a tree in your home will consume as much as a quart of water per day.
- Christmas trees remove dust and pollen from the air.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, National Christmas Tree