Grown naturally only in the southern Appalachian Mountains above 3,000 feet elevation, the Fraser fir is the most popular Christmas tree sold in America today. North Carolina growers ship trees to all fifty states, as well as Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and other locations worldwide. The Fraser fir has soft, pleasant to touch needles, incomparable needle retention, strong pliable branches to hold even the heaviest ornaments, a beautiful dark green color, and a long lasting aroma.
Elk River Evergreens Fraser firs are grown only from quality seed. (The original seed source was collected from native trees growing on Roan Mountain in the Pisgah National Forest.) Seed is collected each year from mature, cone producing trees and sent to Weyerhaeuser in Washington State.
The latest agricultural technology is used to sort the seed so that only the finest and healthiest seed is planted. Seed is first sown in tubes of nutrient agar in a greenhouse environment to enhance germination and give the seedlings a strong start.
After one year, the young seedlings are planted in soil beds free from weeds, pests, and disease. When the young seedlings are 2 years old, they are transplanted once again into an outside environment of soil rich in nutrients.
After 3 years of growth, the young plants (transplants) are collected, graded, and shipped in a refrigerated environment to Elk Park where they are carefully planted in their native soil to complete their growth into a Christmas tree.
When they arrive in North Carolina, the transplants are approximately 3 years old and 18” tall. They grow rapidly into harvestable trees of 6-7 feet in about 6 more years. During their years of growth, trees are sheared, fertilized, and carefully monitored for disease and pests. The result is a beautiful Christmas tree.