ABC’s ‘Made in America’ Series Puts U.S.-Grown Christmas Trees in National Spotlight

ABC News has opened the 14th edition of its annual “Made in America Christmas” initiative, using the Dec. 1, 2025 broadcast of “World News Tonight with David Muir” to showcase small businesses that grow, sell or ship Christmas trees produced entirely in the United States.

During the segment, anchor David Muir underscored how independent companies are supplying holiday shoppers with options that range from full-size firs at local farms to seedling kits that allow families to plant their own evergreens. The series, launched in 2012, aims to highlight entrepreneurs who manufacture domestically while creating jobs in their communities.

From SoHo Sidewalks to Back-Yard Plantings

Muir interviewed David Stess, who operates a seasonal stand in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood. Stess sources his inventory exclusively from nearby farms, transporting freshly cut trees into New York City for customers looking for a traditional, ready-to-decorate centerpiece. By partnering with regional growers, the vendor keeps his supply chain within state lines and maintains the “Made in America” focus of the broadcast series.

The program then moved to McKinleyville, California, where the Jonsteen Tree Company prepares boxed seedling kits for shipment nationwide. Co-founder Jonathan Claasen told ABC News that orders surge after Thanksgiving as families purchase young trees to plant in yards or keep in pots for future re-planting. Jonsteen offers dozens of species, including fast-growing varieties native to the Pacific Northwest and seedlings categorized as rare or endangered. Each kit contains instructions, soil medium and care guidelines designed for first-time growers.

Holiday Demand Lifts Farm Traffic

Field reports recorded heavy foot traffic at Christmas tree farms across the country during the first full weekend after Thanksgiving. Growers in several states reported inventory moving faster than in 2024, mirroring national data from the National Christmas Tree Association, which notes that live tree sales typically peak in the first two weeks of December.

Among the farms cited in the ABC News list were:

• King’s Mountain Tree Farm — Orrington, Maine
• Hoagy’s Tree Farm — Grantville, Pennsylvania
• Mistletoe Christmas Tree Farm — Stow, Massachusetts
• Jackson’s Family Farm — Fayetteville, North Carolina
• Enchanted Christmas Tree Farm — Powell, Tennessee

Operators at these locations told producers they had increased staffing to accommodate a rise in visitors seeking specific sizes and species. Many farms encourage customers to cut their own trees, a practice that supports annual replanting cycles and ensures steady employment for seasonal workers.

Imagem: Internet

Economic Emphasis of the Series

The “Made in America Christmas” project was created to emphasize the economic impact of buying domestically produced gifts. According to the broadcast, each company featured in 2025 meets criteria that include U.S. ownership, domestic production and a workforce based within the country’s borders. ABC News reports that participating businesses collectively employ hundreds of people in agriculture, manufacturing, packaging and retail.

Muir reminded viewers that even small purchases can circulate money back into local economies. By choosing a tree grown on U.S. soil or a seedling cultivated by an American nursery, consumers support land stewardship programs, trucking companies and farm laborers who rely on the December shopping season for a significant share of their annual income.

How to Participate

Viewers were encouraged to locate nearby farms through state agriculture websites or to order grow-your-own kits directly from companies such as Jonsteen. The segment provided tips for transportation, safe indoor display and post-holiday recycling. For those unable to visit a farm in person, mail-order services deliver seedlings in climate-controlled packaging designed to protect young trees in transit.

ABC News noted that full episodes of “World News Tonight with David Muir,” including each Made in America installment, are available for streaming on Disney+. Additional segments scheduled throughout December will spotlight toys, cookware and other goods produced by U.S. companies as the series continues its countdown to Christmas.

Crédito da imagem: ABC News