Organic Christmas tree farms across the United States are committed to environmentally friendly practices. These farms avoid using toxic pesticides and herbicides, instead opting for natural and integrated methods to manage pests and encourage healthy tree growth, thus protecting soil health and local biodiversity.
Despite the benefits of organic Christmas trees, they represent only a small fraction of the market. Organic trees, which are grown according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic standards, account for merely 1% of the 25 to 30 million Christmas trees purchased annually in the U.S.
Read also our articles about Sustainable And Eco-Friendly Christmas Decorations.
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Table of Contents
Organic Christmas Trees VS Conventionally Grown Christmas Trees
Pesticides and Herbicides
Organic trees are grown without synthetic pesticides and herbicides. Instead, organic farmers use natural methods to control pests and manage weeds, which may include introducing beneficial insects, using organic mulch to suppress weeds, or employing mechanical weeding techniques. Conventional tree farms may use a range of chemical products to protect their crops from pests and diseases.
Fertilizers
Organic farms use natural fertilizers such as compost or manure, while conventional farms may rely on synthetic fertilizers to promote tree growth.
Soil Health
Organic farming practices prioritize maintaining and improving soil health through crop rotation, cover cropping, and minimal tillage. This approach helps to preserve the soil structure and biodiversity. In contrast, conventional practices may not focus as much on soil health, potentially leading to soil degradation over time.
Environmental Impact
Organic farming tends to be more environmentally friendly, aiming to reduce pollution, conserve water, and ensure the farm is a habitat-friendly space that supports local wildlife and biodiversity. Conventional tree farming may contribute to soil, air, and water pollution due to the chemicals used in tree production.
Certification
For a Christmas tree to be labeled as organic in the United States, it must meet the USDA’s National Organic Program standards. This involves a rigorous certification process that ensures the farm adheres to all organic agricultural standards. There is no such certification requirement for conventional Christmas trees.
Sustainability
Organic tree farms often have a sustainability ethos, focusing on the long-term health of the farm ecosystem. This may extend to practices like using sustainable energy sources, recycling water, and reducing waste. While some conventional farms may also practice sustainability, it is not inherently a requirement as it is with organic certification.
Cost and Availability
Due to the more labor-intensive practices and the cost of maintaining organic certification, organic Christmas trees are often more expensive and less widely available than their conventional counterparts.
Where Can You Find Organic Christmas Trees? (List by states)
Here’s a list of Organic Christmas Tree Farms in the US. You can also look here at Christmas Tree Farms
Alabama
- Navonod Farms, Seminole – navonod-farm – You-cut Cypress trees, no use of herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers
California
- Black Road Christmas Tree Farms, Los Gatos – christmas-tree-farms.com – Organically grown trees, free of chemicals.
- Silvertip Tree Farm, North Fork – silvertiptreefarm.com – Organically grown Silvertip trees.
- Harris Tree Farm, Pollock Pines – harristreefarm.com – Sustainably grown trees for cutting.
- Santa & Sons Christmas Trees, Sherman Oaks – santasons.com – Green-certified Christmas trees.
- Patchen Christmas Tree Farm, Los Gatos – patchencalifornia – Choose and cut, no pesticides used.
- Max’s Miracle Ranch, Biggs – maxsmiracles – Follows organic practices.
Illinois
- Ben’s Fraser Fir Farm, Capron – benstreefarm.com – Organically grown Christmas trees.
- Pioneer Tree Farm, McHenry – pioneertreefarm.com – Organically grown trees, donations to environmental causes.
Maine
- Celebration Tree Farm, Durham – celebrationtreefarm.com – Organic Balsam and Fraser fir trees.
Maryland
- Feezers Farm, Marriottsville – feezersfarm.com – Cut your own organic trees.
New York
- In Brooklyn, organic Christmas trees can be found at Saint Ann’s & Holy Trinity on 157 Montague Street and at the Key Food on 102 Montague Street. These trees are guaranteed to be free from any pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers – bkchristmastrees.com.
- Vermont Christmas Trees offer organic trees originating from Vermont at their pop-up locations in the Dumbo and Cobble Hill areas of Brooklyn – vttreesbrooklyn.com
- Blooming Hill Organic Farm, located in Blooming Grove, is a family-run farm that provides organic Christmas trees- bloominghillfarm.com
- Biophilia Organic Farm in Jamesport is a certified organic farm offering organic Christmas trees – localharvest
North Carolina
- Rogue Harbor Farm, Marshall –rogueharborfarm.com – Certified organic Fraser Fir trees.
- Wayland’s Nursery, West Jefferson – Low-spray Christmas Trees.
Oregon
- Victorhill Farm, Beavercreek – victorhillfarm.com – Low-spray U-Cut trees.
- Beaverton Holiday U-cut, Portland – holidayucut.com – Low-spray, pesticide-free trees.
Pennsylvania
- Spring Hills Farm, Dalton – springhillsfarm.org – Certified naturally grown trees.
Rhode Island
- The Good Earth Gardening Center, Hope – goodearthorganicgardencenter.com – Seasonal organic trees.
Tennessee
- Hope Christmas Trees, Adams – hopechristmastrees.com – Organic methods, no herbicides.
Texas
- Elgin Christmas Tree Farm, Elgin – Naturally grown trees.
- Texas Organic Nursery & Christmas Tree Farm, Mexia – Local nursery with organic methods.
Virginia
- Clover Hollow Christmas Tree Farm, Newport – swva.net/tbd – Organic Christmas tree farm.
Washington
- Misty Meadows Farm, Everson – mistymeadowsfarm.com – Certified organic U-cut trees.
West Virginia
- Santa’s Forest Fresh Christmas Tree Farm, Evans – Environmentally sustainable trees.
