In comparison, timber production requires at least 20 to 30 years. Christmas trees require less ground cover disturbance than many agricultural crops. Plus they can be produced on land which is only marginally productive for other agricultural uses. There are about 15,000 Christmas tree growers in the U.S., and over 100,000 people employed full or part time in the industry. The top Christmas tree producing states are Oregon, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, California, and North Carolina.
Trees clean carbon dioxide from the air and make oxygen.
An acre of Christmas trees produces enough oxygen for 18 people. Christmast tree farms add to the quality of life in the state by protecting open space. They provide habitat for a variety of wildlife as well as protecting our watersheds from runoff and erosion, all at no cost to the taxpayer. Christmas trees are a 6 million dollar business in Rhode Island and an important part of the state's agricultural industry.