LINDALE, Texas (KLTV) – A new study from the Texas A&M Forest Service found that sales of real Christmas trees in Texas resulted in a direct economic impact of $397 million in 2022.
“No, that doesn’t surprise me at all,” said Dana Hatch, owner of C&C Christmas Tree Farm in Lindale. A&M experts say the industry's total impact last year was $714 million, including indirect and induced revenues.
A big part of it, Hatch said, is the family tradition of taking a day to get your tree.
“Most of our customers are from the Dallas area. They want to come over for today. They will drive to Santa Land on the highway, they have certain places in Lindale where their family goes to eat,” Hatch said.
Many Christmas tree farms may hire seasonal helpers who provide jobs, but tree farming occurs 365 days a year.
“In the off-season you're pruning trees, trimming trees, spraying and mowing, it's constant maintenance, not daily maintenance, but it's something you have to keep on top of,” Hatch said. “There were things we would hire help with.”
Due to project sales, Hatch is considering an early closure this season. Some area farms have already sold out of their allotments for the season.
“I’m monitoring our inventory to make sure we have some trees left for next year,” Hatch said.
When you buy a real tree, you not only help the local economy but also the environment. There are many ways to dispose of your tree after the Christmas season to give something back to nature.
“A lot of cities have a tree drop after the holidays where you can take it, and they mulch it into things to put in their parks,” Hatch said.
To learn how to dispose of your tree safely and give back to the environment, click here.
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