Christmas Trees
NC State hosts a robust Christmas tree breeding program in the College of Natural Resources. The Whitehill Lab's Christmas Tree Genetics Program works at the intersection of agriculture and forestry to breed superior Fraser fir Christmas trees. It also manages the first USDA certified Fraser fir seed orchard.
The Christmas tree industry in the US recently surpassed $2.5 billion. Fraser fir Christmas tree production in North Carolina makes up 20% of the country’s total, making North Carolina the second-largest producer of Christmas trees in the nation, both in number of trees harvested and in cash receipts. The North Carolina Christmas tree industry is valued at $125-250 million annually.
Breeding Better Christmas Trees
The Christmas Tree Genetics Program integrates genetic, genomic, molecular, biochemical, microscopic, ecological, entomological, and pathological techniques with conventional tree breeding strategies targeting the following characteristics:
- Resilience and resistance to forest health threats such as pests, pathogens, and a changing climate.
- Needle retention, aiming for less than 1% of needle post-harvest.
- Aroma, balancing consumer preference with allergic reactions.
