On December 4, 2019

Gov. Scott celebrates the season with hand cut Vermont christmas trees

Governor Phil Scott and Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts visited the Werner Tree Farm in Middlebury Nov. 29 to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season with the help of Vermont’s farmers. The trees cut during this visit will decorate the Pavilion Building in Montpelier, which houses the governor’s office.

“As we enter the holiday season, Vermont and its people, including our farmers, offer so many reasons to celebrate,” said Gov. Phil Scott. “This is a time of year to take note of the good and unite around the true meaning behind each of the season’s traditions: togetherness, community and hope.”

According to the 2017 USDA Census, there are 3,650 acres in Christmas tree production in Vermont across 70 farms. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the value of the Christmas tree industry in Vermont is more than $2.6 million.

“Getting a fresh local tree brings us joy and happiness this time of year while also helping our Christmas tree growers by keeping the Green Mountains in agriculture,” said Ag. Secretary Anson Tebbetts. “The toughest part is the endless choices we have at Vermont’s ‘cut and choose’ operations in every corner of the state.”

Vermont holiday trees also decorate homes in New York City, Boston and Philadelphia each year, with thousands of Green Mountain trees sold in urban pop-up markets. In addition, visitors to Vermont participate in our holiday tradition by hauling home freshly cut trees.

The Werner Tree Farm began farming Christmas trees near Middlebury in 1986. Generations of the Werner family welcome the public to cut or pick their own tree, as do other cut-your-own tree farms across Vermont. Like the Werner family, Vermont’s many tree farmers take pride in the wide variety of natural trees and other working lands products available this time of year.

“It’s a special time of year for our family,” said Cheryl Werner of Werner Tree Farm.  “We love spreading joy and happiness at our Christmas Tree Farm. We are excited to have the governor join us to kick off the season.”

For a full listing of Christmas tree growers open to the public visit the Vermont and New Hampshire Christmas Tree Association at nh-vtchristmastree.org.

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Pride in Rutland: Flags, resistance, and showing up

June 25, 2025
By Emily Pratt Slatin Pride returned to downtown Rutland this June with more color, noise, and purpose than ever before. What began as a joyful celebration quickly became something deeper—something that felt like resistance. And belonging. And a promise that no one in this community has to stand alone. The day kicked off with the…

Plan to manage 72,000 acres of the Telephone Gap project is finalized

June 25, 2025
Staff report The U.S. Forest Service issued its final plan for managing 72,000 acres of public and private land on June 16. The proposed Telephone Gap Integrated Resource Project area is located on the Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) within the towns of Brandon, Chittenden, Goshen, Killington, Mendon, Pittsfield, Pittsford, and Stockbridge. “The Telephone Gap project is…

Hot air balloons took flight over Quechee

June 25, 2025
By James Kent This past weekend, June 21-22, people came from all over New England to participate in the 45th annual Hot Air Balloon Festival. Music, food, games, and fun were available for all ages throughout the weekend, but the main attraction was the hot air balloons. And for those looking to see these gigantic,…

Killington residents push for skate park as town reimagines recreation future 

June 25, 2025
By Greta Solsaa/VTDigger As Killington celebrates the 50th anniversary of its recreation center, some residents are pushing to make a skate park a new permanent fixture of the town’s summer offerings.  The town crafted its recreation master plan to holistically determine how to best use its resources to serve residents in the future, Recreation Department Director Emily Hudson…