​NH Farm Donates Christmas Trees For State Holiday Festivities

CONCORD, NH — Christmas tree growers all across New Hampshire are busy with the annual Christmas tree selling period. The traditional holiday tree sales season starts Thanksgiving weekend and continues until Christmas Eve, according to a press statement. It is also a tradition for New Hampshire Christmas Tree growers, through the NH Christmas Tree Promotion Board, to provide trees for “official” holiday decorating for the New Hampshire Statehouse and for the Bridges House (site for numerous official functions) in Concord.

The NH Christmas Tree Promotion Board conducts numerous industry promotion activities throughout the year. These activities include advertising, exhibits and networking on behalf of the growers of New Hampshire. The Board is also affiliated with the National Christmas Tree Association and the annual Trees for Troops campaign that has collected 200,000 trees since 2005, from across the country to send to US military families. The NH Christmas Tree Promotion Board maintains a website with links to Christmas tree farms across the state: nhchristmastrees.com.

This year, the official state holiday trees come from Nichols Trees LLC, a family owned and operated farm in Lyme. The farm was established in 1983 by Ben Nichols who grew up in the industry on his father’s tree farm in nearby Orford. Nichols Trees is a 50 acre farm specializing in Balsam and Fraser Fir trees. Close to 2,000 trees are harvested each year. Ben, his wife Amy, their son, Tim and daughter, Amara, run all aspects of the business which is about 75 percent wholesale and 25 percent retail. The retail component features a choose and cut operation in Lyme and cut tree lots in Lebanon and W. Lebanon. Wreathes and roping are also made and sold from the farm.

Ben is a member of the NH/VT Christmas Tree Association, the regional industry organization, as well as the National Christmas Tree Association. He has also donated trees for the national Trees for Troops program.

The New Hampshire Christmas tree industry is valued over $3 million annually and represents more than 200 tree growing operations of all sizes. In addition to trees, other important products from this industry are wreaths and related items. Fresh, New Hampshire Christmas trees and Christmas tree products are available at retail outlets throughout the state, and right at the farm. Many operations offer the opportunity to select and cut your own tree and experience other seasonal treats such as hay/sleigh rides, hot mulled cider and browsing holiday craft shops.

For more information about where to get a fresh New Hampshire Christmas tree near you, contact the New Hampshire Dept. of Agriculture, Markets & Food at 271-3788, or agriculture.nh.gov.

Image and text submitted by Gail McWilliam Jellie.