On November 5th, 2025, we gathered at the Upper Mountain Research Station (UMRS) in Ashe County for its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, kicking off harvest season for Christmas tree growers, and to sign a new license agreement between NC State University and the NC Department of Agriculture.

This agreement shares about 30 years of NC State's genetics research and development of superior Fraser fir seed stock with North Carolina's Christmas tree growers. It ensures "easy and affordable access to the best possible Fraser fir genetics" for Christmas tree growers, according to Dr. Justin Whitehill, director of the NC State Christmas Tree Genetics Program and Christmas Tree Genetics Extension Specialist. Growers will be able to grow Fraser fir seeds that reach harvestable size within 6-7 years rather than 8-10, and require less labor to shape the tree in its characteristic conical form. This seed stock will also have elite post-harvest needle retention (meaning they will retain their needles longer) — which benefits both the grower and consumer.

This exciting work is decades in the making, beginning with Dr. John Frampton, Emeritus Professor and Christmas Tree Geneticist at NC State, and Tracy Taylor, director of operations at the UMRS seed center. The seeds are expected to be available to growers starting in spring 2026 and will continue to be monitored by researchers.