Maine Christmas Wreath Industry

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