Recession doesn't hurt NC Christmas tree sales

RALEIGH -- Shoppers may be trimming their lists in this recession, but North Carolina growers say the people will still be trimming their Christmas trees. The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Thursday that Christmas tree sales started stronger this year than last year. Burke County grower Sheila Barrier says everyone still gets a Christmas tree. She says her sales last weekend were up nearly 40 percent compared with last year. Western North Carolina growers produce about one-fourth of the nation's Christmas trees, making the state second only to Oregon. North Carolina's Christmas tree harvest produces only about $100 million of the state's $10 billion farm economy, but it is a bright spot compared with declining profits for other products such as meat and nursery plants. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)