Source: NCDA&CS, 9/26/18

The N.C. Forest Service’s Linville River Nursery has high quality Christmas tree seedlings for growers. Located just outside Crossnore, in western North Carolina, the nursery grows Fraser Fir seedlings as well as Eastern white pine for Christmas tree production and reforestation needs.

“Picking out a Christmas tree is a special holiday tradition for many families,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Getting the right tree is often a question of genetics.  The better the genetics of the tree the straighter it will grow, the fuller it will be, the nicer it will smell and the better it will sell.”

Fraser firs grown at the nursery are produced in a state-of-the-art greenhouse as seedlings. To prevent disease, only water from a deep well is used for irrigation. Eastern white pines are produced as a bare-root seedling crop using the best single-family seed available.

The nursery also produces seedlings grown at lower planting densities specifically for the Christmas tree industry. These seedlings have larger root collar diameters and a larger overall size.

Linville sells seedlings directly to the public. Customers may place orders by phone at 1-888-NCTREES (628-7337), online at http://nc-forestry.stores.yahoo.net or at any N.C. Forest Service office. Find contact information for your county ranger’s office at ncforestservice.gov.