In the Northeast, firs and spruces were chosen and these became the traditional Christmas trees in that part of the country. Southerners chose the Eastern redcedar as their traditional Christmas tree, and part of the festivities each year included the family excursion to the woods to bring home the Christmas cedar. Today most Americans buy their Christmas trees, and growing and selling them is big business. Each year some 40 million trees are sent to market in the United States. Eastern redcedar Scotch pine, a European native and balsam fir, both grown in the northern states, and Douglas fir, grown in the Pacific Northwest account for 75 percent of the trees purchased in America.
Scotch pine is the overall American favorite.
In Georgia the traditional Eastern redcedar with its prickly boughs is often passed up in favor of other trees now readily available. Eastern white pine and Virginia pine, both grown on Georgia Christmas tree farms are preferred by many for their attractive appearance, soft needles, and affordable price. The Christmas tree farm operator shears these trees yearly to give them that Christmas tree shape. A green dye is applied before harvest to give the needles a darker, more even color. Leyland cypress is becoming another popular substitute for eastern red cedar.