KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — 'Tis the season to find the right tree.
With Thanksgiving festivities wrapped up, Christmas tree lots are getting ready for crowds through the next few weekends as families get ready to pick out their fresh trees.
Millions of trees are harvested in North Carolina; the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says the Tar Heel State is one of the top Christmas tree-producing states in the U.S., providing more than 3 million trees annually.
“That might be the one, I don’t know,” said Anne Morrison as she walked through rows of evergreens.
From table toppers to towering firs, shoppers at the NW TreeLot in Kannapolis are surrounded by the aroma of crisp winter air and pine needles.
“We love having a fresh tree,” said Morrison. “I don’t think we could ever go artificial. It reminds me so much of my mom. She passed away a couple of years ago, but Christmas trees were her absolute favorite to decorate.”
The beloved family tradition is something she's passing down to the next generation.
“He’s really good at picking a tree out so I bring him every year,” said Morrison as she smiled at her son holding a measuring stick.
It’s a living tradition for many families.
“We’ve been coming here for 15 years,” said Cassie Dixon, as her husband held a fresh wreath from the lot. “We like the smells, and the trees here last a long time.”
“We have kids who are in their 30s and we have ornaments they have made when they were in middle and preschool,” she added.
Every one of these evergreens comes from farms in the northwest part of the state.
Spending $120 to $160 for an 8-foot tree doesn’t just bring holiday cheer. It supports local farmers and keeps traditions rooted right here in our communities.
“We really want folks to understand that when you’re shopping in your area, you are helping your family, you’re helping your neighbors,” said Britt Austin, co-owner of NW TreeLot.
Austin and his long-time friend Adam Plott started their business 16 years ago.
“My father started selling trees 50 years ago from Kannapolis,” said Plott. “We went to school together, and through college we decided to open up a lot.”
The business, like others, has its ups and downs.
“There’s been tree shortages in years past,” said Plott. “Certain sizes we are trying to get trees and we couldn’t get enough.”
But it's gone on still each year. Every tree is cut, tied, and hauled to be decorated as part of the holiday cheer.
Being a family-owned business also adds to the spirit of the season, from selling trees to Plott selling his grandma’s baked goods from the stands. Even the tradition of the business seems set to continue on; their children were also on hand Friday, equipped with toy saws and ready to follow in their parents’ footsteps.
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.