Alabama-grown Christmas trees are helping Marines and their families celebrate the holidays thanks to a project designed to modernize tree production across the state.

The initiative, funded by the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant and administered by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, donated more than 200 trees from Alabama farms to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina. According to a news release, the effort was part of a larger fertilizer trial conducted by Auburn University’s Department of Horticulture at the Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center in Fairhope.

“Many of our Christmas tree growers are part-time farmers or veterans who have served our country with honor. Now, they’re serving their communities by bringing families together during the holidays,” said Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate in the release. “We’re planting more than just trees; we’re planting hope, economic growth, and holiday joy.”

The project partnered with Auburn University’s Ornamental Horticulture Research Center in Mobile, the Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center, the Christmas Spirit Foundation, FedEx, and the Trees for Troops program to coordinate pickup and delivery. Last season, Trees for Troops delivered more than 16,000 trees from 51 locations to 93 military bases across all five branches of service. A special contribution of 50 additional trees came from Steve and Sandra Mannhard of Fish River Trees.

“Several people across the two experiment stations have contributed to this incredibly rewarding project. This work means so much because the results will ultimately help growers not only here in Alabama but throughout the Southeast,” said Auburn University Assistant Extension Professor Jeremy Pickens Ph.D. “These trees are headed to the men and women serving our country. As we gather around our own Christmas trees this season, we’ll be imagining these trees bringing a little joy and comfort to those Marines.”

The project comes at a time of growing demand for natural Christmas trees. In the southern U.S., producing a seven-to-eight-foot marketable tree now typically takes three to six years. The initiative aims to reduce production time, potentially increasing gross profits by as much as $8,800 per acre annually, while lowering input costs through fewer years of pruning, fertilizing, and spraying. Researchers continue collecting data to refine final profit estimates.

The project also focused on improving weed management and optimizing fertilization. Trials examined how long residual preemergent and selective herbicides could reduce annual applications from as many as eight to three. Researchers also tested nitrogen rates, timing, and delivery methods including banding, fertigation, and drip irrigation to update outdated recommendations and boost efficiency.

Alabama residents can find local Christmas tree farms at www.southernchristmastrees.org/AL-Farms.html. Information on the Trees for Troops program is available at https://treesfortroops.org/trees-for-troops.