This holiday season, your tree choice can make a big impact. When you pick a real Wisconsin Christmas tree, you’re supporting farmers, boosting the state’s economy and helping the environment.

Wisconsin ranks fifth in the nation for Christmas tree production, harvesting about 700,000 trees each year. This statewide tradition adds roughly $50 million to the state’s economy and keeps hundreds of family farms thriving. Each purchase helps sustain local agriculture and rural communities.

“Real trees support real Wisconsin family farms,” said Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producer Association Executive Director Sarah Glitto. “Our state is proud to be a top five Christmas tree producer, and every tree purchased here helps sustain generational growers, rural communities and the working landscapes we all depend on.”

Real trees also give back to nature. For every tree harvested, growers plant one to three new seedlings. As they grow, Christmas trees clean the air, stabilize soil and provide wildlife habitat. They are recyclable after the holiday season as they are turned into mulch, compost or used for erosion control, making them a sustainable choice from start to finish.

In contrast, artificial trees are made from plastic and metal, often shipped thousands of miles and can take centuries to break down in landfills. A real tree is a renewable resource that supports Wisconsin’s farmers and local economies.

“A real Christmas tree isn’t just décor—it brings tradition, joy and a renewable piece of Wisconsin farmland into your home,” added Glitto.

For more information about farm-grown trees, visit the National Christmas Tree Association website at realchristmastrees.org or the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association at christmastrees-wi.org.