Maine Christmas Tree Association members, along with Real Maine, encourage you to choose a locally grown tree this holiday season. Buying a Real Maine Christmas tree means your family will have a fresh, fragrant centerpiece for your celebrations, and you will also support local farms and businesses.
Christmas trees take 4 to 10 years to mature and are shaped by expert farmers through annual pruning.
When selecting your tree, do a freshness test by gently grasping a branch between your thumb and forefinger and pulling it toward you. Very few needles should come off in your hand if the tree is fresh. Shake or bounce the tree on its stump. You should not see an excessive number of green needles fall to the ground. Some loss of interior brown needles is normal and will occur over the lifetime of the tree.
Be sure to visit a Real Maine Christmas Tree farm to pick out the right tree for you.
Real Maine would like to remind you – there are many benefits to a real tree!
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
Growing trees absorb carbon dioxide and other gases and emit fresh oxygen. The farms that grow Christmas trees stabilize soil, protect water supplies and provide refuge for wildlife, while creating scenic green belts. On the other hand, artificial trees are a petroleum-based product manufactured primarily in factories. The average family uses an artificial tree for only six years before throwing it away, where it will remain in a landfill.
RENEWABLE
It is an ecologically sound choice to get a real Christmas tree every year. Christmas trees are grown on farms just like any other agricultural crop. To ensure a constant supply, Christmas tree growers plant one to three new seedlings for every tree they harvest. This means Christmas trees are a sustainable crop.
RECYCLABLE
Real Christmas trees are biodegradable, which means they can be easily reused or recycled for mulch and other purposes (note: never burn any part of a Christmas tree in a wood stove or fireplace). There may even be a goat farm in your area that will accept Christmas trees post-holiday to feed to their goats! Some communities use Christmas trees to make effective sand and soil erosion barriers, especially at beaches and on riverbeds. Christmas trees can also be used to make bird feeders.
MAKE FAMILY MEMORIES
Many Maine Christmas tree farms encourage folks to choose and cut their own trees (or choose their trees and get some help from staff with the cutting!). You may find bonfires, photo opportunities, or even hot chocolate to enjoy.
TREE CARE TIPS (FOR MORE, GO TO WWW.MAINECHRISTMASTREE.COM):
- Keep your tree in a sheltered, unheated area such as a porch or garage to protect it from the wind and sun until you are ready to display and decorate it
- Make a fresh cut to remove about a 1/2-inch-thick disk of wood from the base of the trunk before putting the tree in a stand. Don’t cut the trunk at an angle or into a v-shape.
- To display the trees indoors, use a stand that fits your tree and has an adequate water capacity for the tree. Stands should provide 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter.
- Place the tree away from heat sources and out of direct sun if possible
- Check the water daily. Check the stand to ensure that the water level does not drop below the base of the tree.
Don’t forget to pick up Maine-made wreaths and locally grown poinsettias as well! Many farms offer make-your-own wreath workshops.
Maine Governor Janet Mills proclaimed November 28, 2025, as “Maine Grown Christmas Tree Day.” She welcomed award-winning Christmas trees and wreaths from the 2025 Fryeburg Fair for display at the Blaine House during the holiday season.
Real Maine is the state’s official agriculture and agritourism promotions program. From holiday gifts and décor to additions to your holiday meals and celebrations, plan your Real Maine agricultural experience. Visit www.RealMaine.com to connect to farms, food, and agriculture throughout Maine.
