| Maine is the largest producer of balsam fir | | | | work with a single-faced wreath with the |
| Christmas wreaths in the United States. | | | | balsam tips attached to only one side. |
| Millions of wreaths are shipped out every | | | | |
| year. Maine's forests cover over 85% of the | | | | Naturally, the single-faced wreaths are |
| state. A lot of this forest is available for | | | | cheaper to make in materials and labor. Most |
| harvesting of balsam fir tips which is a | | | | of the major big box retailers sell |
| sustainable harvest. Only 12 to 20 inches of | | | | single-faced wreaths. |
| the ends of the branches are cut and they | | | | |
| grow back year to year. | | | | The wreath industry in Maine includes |
| | | | tippers, wreath makers, wholesalers and |
| A wreath is made by attaching bunches of the | | | | retailers. Tippers (people who gather the |
| balsam fir tips to a metal ring. The bunches | | | | tips) sell to a local wreath business or |
| of tips are wired to the ring. The common | | | | wreath maker. There is a large cottage |
| sizes for the wreath rings are 8,10, 12, 14 | | | | industry of wreath makers who make wreaths at |
| and 16 inch. The outside diameter of the | | | | home and sell them, undecorated for the most |
| wreath is determined by the size of the ring. | | | | part, to local wholesalers or retailers or |
| For example, at Acadia Wreath Company, our | | | | directly to consumers. |
| 24" Christmas wreath is built on a 12 inch | | | | |
| ring and our 30" Christmas wreath is built on | | | | The balsam fir tips are not only used to make |
| a 16" ring. The amount of balsam tips needed | | | | Christmas wreaths. Christmas centerpieces, |
| for a wreath depends again on the size of the | | | | kissing balls, swags and garland are also |
| ring. We make very full, double-faced wreaths | | | | made. Garland is not a huge part of the |
| except for our vehicle wreath. | | | | industry because wreath makers can make a lot |
| | | | more money making wreaths and so garland is |
| Our 24" wreath weighs about 6 lbs and our 30" | | | | harder to find. Demand for balsam fir |
| wreath weighs about 8 lbs. A double-faced | | | | Christmas products is increasing every year. |
| wreath has the balsam tips attached to both | | | | It is the most fragrant of all the firs with |
| sides of the wreath ring making a much fuller | | | | the smell most associated with Christmas. |
| wreath. We have a customer who has us | | | | Also, it's natural and sustainable and |
| decorate both sides of her wreath because she | | | | artificial, plastic wreaths are viewed as |
| hangs it on a glass door where it can be seen | | | | tacky and they sure don't smell like |
| from each side of the door. This wouldn't | | | | Christmas. |