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SALISBURY – The weather in North Carolina this year was ideal for growing Christmas trees, and that is translating into a lot of extra cash for charities selling them. Because the conditions were perfect, the market value is lower this year than in years past, meaning charities have a bigger profit margin.

“The money that we make from this, the United Methodist Men use that in missions,” De Hillyer, of Harrisburg UMC, said. “We've sent money to Haiti for ministries down there, we've helped families here with utilities, with meals.”

Usually, civic and nonprofit groups harvest North Carolina trees, so they're typically fresher than most.

“The trees were actually cut on Sunday and picked up on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, so they're as fresh as you can get,” Lori Ivey, of the Stanly County Cooperative Extension, said.

Stanly County's 4H sells garland, wreaths and trees. The increased profit margin will help this year.

“We buy the Christmas trees, greenery and wreaths at wholesale, and then the profits benefit the local 4H program,” Ivey said.

And with so many North Carolina trees to choose from, the price goes down for the seller and there are plenty more options for the shopper.

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Science has worked to promote North Carolina's Christmas tree industry. The state produced a booklet of tree growers and has established three Web sites to help find a tree.