News

McHenry County tops state Christmas tree harvests

Posted December 01, 2009 10:00 pm

By Kerry Lester

The economy may be adversely affecting sales for businesses across the country, but suburban tree farmers have reason this season to keep their spirits high.

And many will be flocking to McHenry County, whose eight tree farms produce more Christmas trees than any other county in the state.

There may be fewer Christmas tree farms in McHenry County than Lake and Kane counties, but its green expanses produce more - about 15,000 each year. And that's tops in the state, Illinois Farm Bureau spokesman John Hawkins said.

"Christmas trees are a little more viable than traditional crops, so on top of what (farmers) are already doing, they'll plant a couple thousand trees each year," said Dan Volker, manager of McHenry County's Farm Bureau.

Unlike other crops, this fall's wet weather has proved beneficial for tree farmers. According to David Daniken, president of the Illinois Christmas Tree Association, pine, fir and spruce trees are the most popular varieties to be grown in Illinois.

With cooler summers, Daniken said, fir trees tend to grow better in the northern part of the state than any other area.

Across the state, 291 Christmas tree farms produce a crop worth $6.5 million each year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"People are still coming out for a real tree," Ron Peterson, owner of Oney's Tree Farm in Woodstock, said. "It's more than getting the tree. It's spending time with your family. People won't give that up."

And with demand constant, you're not like to find cut-rate trees.

Several Christmas tree farmers said they don't plan to lower prices this season.

"These farmers are thinking long term," Hawkins said. "Basically a lot of these trees were planted five to 10 years ago. That's what they've got. You can't really adjust for the economy, per se, if you're in the business."

Peterson said he plans to keep prices the same, $49 for pines, $60 for spruces and firs, as he's had for the past five years.

"This year we'll be down a little bit, I think," he said. "People will still get their trees but maybe not buy a few ornaments."

Tree facts • Illinois ranks 17th in the country with the most Christmas tree farms at 291. • Oregon led the nation in 2002 with 67,804 acres in Christmas tree production. Illinois had 6,355 acres. • In the U.S., there are about a half billion Christmas trees growing on farms. • Roughly 12,000 farms across the country allow customers to cut down their own trees. • Ron Peterson, owner of Oney's Tree Farm in Woodstock, says to make sure a home's heating vents are closed if a Christmas tree is set up nearby. • The best "drink" for thirsty trees, according to Illinois Tree Growers, is lukewarm water. Sources: University of Illinois Extension, Ron Peterson, the Illinois Christmas Tree Association

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