Minnesota State Forests Are A Big Source For The Holiday Wreath Industry

Again this year Minnesota state forests remain a crucial resource for holiday wreaths with  balsam fir boughs and branches according to the department of Natural Resources.

Balsam fir grows in northeastern and north-central Minnesota. The flat, fragrant, dense, dark green needles are well-suited for wreaths. According to Minnesota DNR, each year about 734,000 pounds of balsam boughs are harvested from state forests between late September and early December.

Minnesota is one of the national leaders in the holiday wreath industry, employing thousands of seasonal employees in several Minnesota cities. Workers harvest boughs from forests and assemble wreaths in small factories. Leading up to early December, one leading wreath manufacturer has been assembling up to 1,500 wreaths each day.

Minnesota balsam fir is used in wreaths all over the country and it is estimated that companies producing wreaths in Minnesota have total sales exceeding $23 million and growing. I love this, Minnesota is absolutely beautiful with all the trees and lakes and it's great to see Minnesota succeed during the holiday season with resources in our backyard.