Image courtesy of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey is encouraging Iowans to consider having an Iowa grown Christmas tree this year during the holidays. Tree farms are found in the KCII-listening area in Louisa, Johnson, and Jefferson Counties. Iowa has over 1,500 acres of land used for Christmas tree production, resulting in about 39,500 trees being harvested each year. It is a $1 million dollar industry according to Northey. It takes six to 12 years for a tree to grow before it is ready to be sold and decorated with ornaments for the holidays.
The Iowa Christmas Tree Association has a website with information about Iowa’s more than 100 Christmas tree farms – find it here.