The Baker-Polito Administration declared Friday, November 29, 2019 as “Green Friday” to encourage Massachusetts residents to visit their local farms and nurseries for Christmas trees, holiday plants, and holiday decorating needs.
Governor Charlie Baker said there is “a great opportunity for Massachusetts families to shop local and purchase their Christmas trees and holiday decorations from one of the Commonwealth’s many family-operated farms and nurseries. Our administration is proud to recognize this vibrant sector of Massachusetts’ agricultural industry and looks forward another successful season.”
Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito said Christmas tree growers and nurseries across the Commonwealth “play a vital role in stimulating the local economy and provide our residents with high-quality beautiful trees and plants during the holidays.”
Christmas tree season in Massachusetts provides hundreds of seasonal jobs at nearly 270 Christmas tree farms on approximately 2,800 acres of land from Cape Cod to the Berkshires. The sale of over 82,500 Massachusetts-grown Christmas trees contributes approximately $3.5 million to the Commonwealth’s economy each year. Visit Mass Christmas Tree Association for locations of tree farms.
Christmas tree farms, which are often sited on soils that cannot support other crops, stabilize soil, which helps prevent erosion and protect water supplies. When chipped, the trees can be used as a renewable source of energy to be burned as fuel, used as mulch, or composted.
Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides said, “Green Friday is an annual tradition that recognizes the importance of the Commonwealth’s agricultural industry. Buying a fresh-cut tree from a local farm helps support Massachusetts’ hard-working farmers and helps to reduce our carbon footprint.”
MDAR Commissioner John Lebeaux said, “As a former long-time Christmas Tree retailer, my participation in the annual Green Friday event brings back many very happy memories. Nothing beats the freshness and the fragrance of MassGrown Christmas Trees, and the beauty of all Massachusetts-produced holiday plants and decorations.”
To celebrate “Green Friday,” EEA Secretary Theoharides and MDAR Commissioner Lebeaux participated in a Christmas tree cutting ceremony at Chestnut Mountain Christmas Tree Farm in Hatfield.
Chestnut Mountain Tree Farm owner Bob Schrader said, “Chestnut Mountain is pleased to represent the many Christmas tree farms across the Commonwealth and be this year’s host for the Annual Christmas Tree cutting ceremony to celebrate Green Friday.”
Visit MassGrown to find Christmas tree farms and nurseries across the state.
To visit Massachusetts, go to MassVacation.com.