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Christmas trees
have been sold commercially in the United States since about
1850.
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There are 429
Christmas tree farms in Illinois, according to the 2002 Census
of Agriculture.
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Illinois' 429 farms
rank 14th in the United States. Pennsylvania has the most
Christmas tree farms: 2,164.
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Christmas trees are
grown in all 50 states. Oregon is the top producer by volume; in
2002, it harvested more than 6.4 million trees. Illinois ranked
16th with a harvest of 144,000 trees.
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Nearly 21 million
Christmas trees were harvested nationwide in 2002.
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The value of all
Christmas trees harvested was $399 million in 2002. Illinois'
crop was worth $7.6 million.
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Throughout the
United States, nearly 450,000 acres of land are planted in
Christmas trees, including 6,355 in Illinois.
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On average, 2,000
Christmas trees are planted per acre. No more than 1,500,
however, will survive to maturity. Christmas trees typically are
harvested when they reach 6 to 7 feet in height and almost
always require shearing to attain their shape.
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The best-selling
varieties are the Scotch pine, Douglas fir, noble fir, Fraser
fir, Virginia pine, balsam fir and white pine.
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Top 10 Illinois counties by number of Christmas trees harvested
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Macon: 13,692
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Bureau: 8,000
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McHenry: 7,373
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Kane: 7,023
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Peoria: 3,990
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Whiteside: 3,950
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St. Clair: 3,500
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Rock Island: 3,450
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Williamson: 3,254
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Clark: 2,950
Top Illinois counties by number of
Christmas tree farms
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McHenry: 18
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Macon: 16
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Madison: 16
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Adams: 15
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Jo Daviess: 13
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Lake: 13
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Sangamon: 10
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Vermilion: 10
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Kane: 9
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Rock Island: 9
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St. Clair: 9
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Shelby: 9
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Whiteside: 9
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Agriculture
file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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