Christmas trees are naturally social distanced

Bert Cregg<cregg@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Departments of Horticulture and Forestry, and Jill O'Donnell, Michigan State University Extension - November 13, 2020

Farms and tree lots are prepared for a safe holiday season.

Christmas trees — It’s easy to keep a social distance: Christmas tree are usually planted on 6 feet by 6 feet spacing. Photo by Kluck's Nursery.

The 2020 holiday season is certain to be like none other. In these uncertain and unsettled times, families are looking forward to staying home for a quiet and traditional holiday season. For many, this includes engaging (or perhaps re-engaging) in holiday traditions such as selecting a real Christmas tree at a choose-and-cut tree farm or local tree lot. Michigan is the third leading Christmas tree producing state in the U.S. and nearly every Michigander lives within a short drive of a Christmas tree farm. Most Christmas tree farms and tree lots in Michigan will be in operation this season, though like everything else, things will look and operate differently this year.

Be well prepared

Choose-and-cut operations and tree lots have been preparing to safely operate during the 2020 holiday season since the spring. The National Christmas Tree Association and the Michigan Christmas Tree Association have been providing operators with resources to help them follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to keep their customers and their employees safe while operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you get your tree from a choose-and-cut-farm, remember that Christmas trees are typically grown on 6 feet by 6 feet spacing, so they are perfect for social distancing. In addition to encouraging social distancing, many tree farms and lots are taking additional steps such as regularly disinfecting equipment, requiring masks, offering touchless payment or drive-through service.

Christmas tree lot sign — Choose-and-cut Christmas trees throughout Michigan will be operating this season with COVID-19 protocols in place. Photo by Kluck's Nursery.

Plan ahead

COVID-19 safety plans for choose-and-cut farms vary, so the best bet is to call ahead or visit the farm’s website or Facebook page. Most farms post their hours of operation and any COVID-19 safety modifications to their operation on their website or Facebook page. In some cases, farms may have modified or eliminated wagon rides, petting zoos, photo booths or concession stands. A few farms may encourage or require reservations to keep customers dispersed, so a few minutes planning ahead can ensure a safe and successful tree hunt.

To find a tree farm near you, the Michigan Tree Christmas Association offers a clickable map.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).