Christmas tree farm facts: Indiana No. 11 in Christmas tree production

INDIANAPOLIS — As a Christmas tree producing state, Indiana ranks No. 11 in the nation with 200 tree farms producing almost 200,000 harvestable trees per year, according to the Indiana Christmas Tree Growers Association.

The association shared facts about the Christmas tree industry in Indiana.

Did You Know?

1. Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource.

2. It can take as little as four years or as many as 15 years to grow a tree of typical height — 6 to 7 feet. The average growing time is seven years. Most Christmas trees are grown on farms using soil that doesn’t support other crops.

3. For every real Christmas tree harvested, one to three seedlings are planted the next spring.

4. Growing Christmas trees is labor intensive. The trees are shaped by annual pruning. The grower controls the growth of the tree through shearing to produce a bushy appearance and conical shape.

If your family enjoyed a real tree this Christmas, there are several ways to recycle it after the holiday.

One of the most common ways to recycle a Christmas tree is to have it chipped into biodegradable mulch for landscaping, according to ICTGA.

Some communities have a pick up date or drop off point to recycle trees. Check with your local tree farm or community about local recycling programs.

Learn more at www.indianachristmastrees.com.