In an article “Going Green: How and Why to Find a South Carolina-Grown Christmas Tree”, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture discusses buying a real tree and its benefits locally and environmentally.
Supporting South Carolina farmers this winter could mean searching out local collards for New Year’s Day or giving the gift of a Community Supported Agriculture share. It could also mean buying a locally grown Christmas tree.
Buying a South Carolina-grown tree can take a little extra planning and awareness — and probably a visit to a farm. That’s part of the joy, though. Many Christmas tree farms offer hayrides, hot chocolate, visits from Santa, and other trappings of the holiday season. For many families, finding and cutting the perfect tree is an essential Christmas tradition.
You’ll also need to adjust your mental image of a Christmas tree — but only slightly. If you’ve been buying trees from retail stores or commercial tree lots, you’ve almost certainly been buying Fraser firs grown out of state. Fraser firs hold up well on long journeys and can withstand the tough, dry conditions of a retail setting. However, they don’t grow in South Carolina. They need elevations above 3,000 feet and cooler summers than our state has to offer.
Fortunately, once you start looking beyond Fraser firs, there’s a world of local trees to choose from. South Carolina farmers grow beautiful varieties specially adapted to our climate. Here are some of the many options, with descriptions courtesy of the South Carolina Christmas Tree Association.
South Carolina Tree Varieties
Blue Ice: Foliage is blue green in color, soft to the touch, and very dense with an outstanding aroma.
Carolina Sapphire: Beautiful blue color, wonderfully aromatic and soft.
Clemson Greenspire: Tree has a conical shape and light green foliage.
Deodar Cedar: Branching and needles similar to firs. Great for decorating, sturdy but prickly.
Eastern Red Cedar: Great smell but somewhat prickly.
Leyland Cypress: Popular, lovely tree that holds ornaments well. Incredibly long-lasting when kept in water.
Murray Cypress: A variety of the Leyland Cypress. Soft foliage and a lemon mint aroma.
Virginia Pine: Sturdy limbs, long-lasting, great pine scent. Native to upper piedmont and mountain areas.
White Pine: Soft blue-green foliage, long-lasting with a great pine scent.
Are Real Trees a Green Choice?
Yes, fresh-cut Christmas trees are a sustainable, climate-friendly option. Trees take several years to reach maturity, during which time they capture and store carbon dioxide. And trees are a renewable resource: Just months after you cut a local tree, the farmer will be working to plant a new one to replace it.
Don’t just take it from us: According to The Nature Conservancy, “Buying real trees will help keep tree farms in business—and in turn keep their lands covered in the healthy forest habitat that wildlife depends on to survive.”
When you’re done with your tree, don’t send it to the landfill: Find a grinding program in your area so it can be turned into mulch.
Where to Find a South Carolina Christmas Tree
South Carolina Christmas Tree Association at scchristmastrees.org
Find an association member near you using the search tool.
South Carolina agritourism farms at agriculture.sc.gov
Looking for an on-farm experience? Explore holiday events and activities on South Carolina tree farms.
