Ag Minute: Keeping Christmas Traditions Alive

As the holiday season approaches and the first Christmas decorations start to appear across Sangamon County, area tree farms are getting ready for the rush of visitors. For many families, the season isn’t complete without a visit to Bomke’s Patch in Springfield, Krone Christmas Tree Farm in Riverton, or one of the many other local farms that help keep Christmas traditions alive.

Behind every real Christmas tree is nearly a decade of work. Most trees take about seven to ten years to reach the height typically purchased for homes. The tree heading into a living room this December was likely planted sometime between 2015 and 2018.

Central Illinois growers rely on hardy species like Scotch pine, white pine, and several spruce and fir varieties that tolerate regional soils and winter conditions. While Illinois is not one of the largest Christmas-tree-producing states, farms operate in many regions of the country, and Midwestern growers continue to supply strong demand.

Real Christmas trees also offer environmental benefits that extend well beyond their use during the holidays. Tree farms function much like small forests, capturing carbon, reducing soil erosion, and providing habitat for birds, pollinators, and small wildlife throughout the year. Farmers typically plant one to three new trees for every tree harvested, keeping a steady rotation of young trees growing on the landscape. Because Christmas trees are often grown on land that isn’t ideal for row crops — including hillsides, marginal soils, and small parcels that can’t support large equipment — the crop puts otherwise unused acreage to productive use. During their years in the field, these trees also contribute to improved soil structure and water retention, offering environmental value long before they ever reach a living room.

Bomke’s Patch first planted Christmas trees in 2002 and opened for public sales in 2009. The Springfield-area farm now includes thousands of trees on roughly a dozen acres, offering both cut-your-own and precut options along with wreaths, garlands, and family-friendly activities. The farm has become a popular seasonal stop, known for offering saws, carts, tree shaking and baling, and other conveniences that make the holiday outing part of the experience.

Krone Christmas Tree Farm, located just east of Springfield along Route 54 in Riverton, is a family-operated farm offering a range of varieties including Scotch and white pine, spruce, and several fir species. Customers can choose cut-your-own or have staff assist, and the farm remains one of the area’s longest-running Christmas-tree operations.

For the broader economy, Christmas-tree farming remains a significant agricultural niche. Federal data show that more than 14.5 million Christmas trees were cut from U.S. farms in 2022, generating about $553 million in sales. Industry groups estimate that roughly 25 to 30 million real trees are sold nationwide in a typical year, and about 16,000 farms grow Christmas trees commercially. Altogether, the industry supports seasonal jobs across the country and offers a productive use for land that may not be well suited for traditional row crops.

For Sangamon County, these farms may only be in the spotlight for a few weeks, but their impact lasts longer. Local Christmas-tree operations help sustain small-acreage agriculture, support seasonal employment, and keep long-held family traditions alive. Picking out a tree close to home remains one of the simplest — and most festive — ways to support the region’s rural economy during the holiday season.