Texas Christmas Tree Industry Booms as Nation Sees Sharp Decline

December 5, 2025 – AUSTIN — Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller kicked off the holiday season Wednesday by celebrating a rare bright spot in American agriculture: the rapid growth of the Texas Christmas tree industry, even as the sector declines nationwide.

“There is nothing like a Texas-grown Christmas tree,” Miller said. “When Texans buy a real tree grown in Texas soil, they support our farmers, create local jobs, and keep holiday dollars right here at home.”

National data tells a different story. Between 2002 and 2022, the number of U.S. farms harvesting Christmas trees dropped nearly 30%, from more than 13,600 to about 10,000, according to the American Farm Bureau. Acres in production fell even more dramatically, from roughly 450,000 to 293,000.

Texas, however, has moved sharply in the opposite direction. In 2017, the state had 125 growers tending 945 acres of Christmas trees. By 2022, that number had surged to 220 growers managing 3,565 acres — nearly a fourfold increase. The Texas A&M Forest Service credits rising local demand, improved seed stock adapted to Texas climates, and stronger consumer interest in supporting in-state agriculture.

Miller praised the industry’s resiliency in the face of droughts, freezes, supply challenges, and economic uncertainty. “Texas farmers have faced everything under the sun — and they keep delivering,” he said. “This growth is an outstanding accomplishment.”

Consumer data reinforces the trend: Texans bought 26% more real Christmas trees in 2022 than in 2017, choosing fresh, fragrant evergreens over artificial options. Many farms have expanded with family-friendly activities — pumpkin patches, hayrides, Santa visits, and photography spots — boosting rural tourism alongside tree sales.

“Whether you value tradition, Texas agriculture, or supporting local businesses, there has never been a better time to choose a real Texas Christmas tree,” Miller said.