It’s just about Christmas tree season in South Carolina! Here to tell us about this industry is Ag Commissioner Hugh Weathers.

Commissioner: It sure feels early to be talking about Christmas trees – but tree farms across the state will be opening in about a week and a half, so it’s time to start planning.

The day after Thanksgiving is the traditional opening date for tree farms.

We’ve heard some reports out of North Carolina of tree farms that took a lot of damage from Helene. In South Carolina, things are looking pretty good.

SC farmers grow a wide variety of trees. What they don’t grow is Fraser firs – those only grow at higher altitude. So to support local farmers, you’ll have to explore some other varieties.

If its allergies you’re worried about, your best bet is a Leyland Cypress, a lovely sterile hybrid tree that does not produce pollen.   

Other SC varieties include:

• Virginia pine
• White pine
• Murray Cypress
• Blue Ice cypress
• Carolina Sapphire
• Eastern red cedar

Environmental benefits:

• Real trees are biodegradable. When the holiday season is over, you can take your tree to a “grinding of the greens” event, designed to turn old Christmas trees into mulch.
• The environmental impact and cost of transportation is much less.
• Christmas tree farms capture carbon, help purify the air, and provide wildlife habitats.

Remember when setting up your tree to choose a spot away from heat sources and to check your water level daily, ensuring that there is at least one gallon of water in the stand. 

To find a list of Christmas tree farms in South Carolina, visit the SC Christmas Tree Association’s website, scchristmastrees.org.