I hope this holiday season finds you and your family doing well. This year has been quite a blessing – and full of adventure and fun as well! In the spirit of the holiday season, I found a few Christmas tree facts to ponder while enjoying the company of your family and friends.

• Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since about 1850.
• The best selling trees are Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Virginia pine, Balsam fir and white pine.
• More than 2,000 trees are usually planted per acre. On an average 1,000-1,500 of these trees will survive. In the North, maybe, 750 trees will remain. Almost all trees require shearing to attain the Christmas tree shape. At six to seven feet, trees are ready for harvest. It takes six to 10 years of fighting heavy rain, wind, hail and drought to get a mature tree.
• In the United States, there are more than 21,000 Christmas tree growers.
• In 1979, the National Christmas Tree was not lighted except for the top ornament. This was done in honor of the American hostages in Iran.
• Since 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association has given a Christmas tree to the President and first family.
• The first decorated Christmas tree was in Riga, Latvia in 1510.
• Christmas trees take an average of 7-10 years to mature.
• Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states including Hawaii and Alaska.
• 100,000 people are employed in the Christmas tree industry.
• An acre of Christmas trees provides for the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people.

Source: Illinois Dept. of Agriculture.

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!