It’s the most wonderful time of the year — especially for businesses profiting from Christmas tree sales.

Tree sales offer a boost in profits for many Beaufort County businesses, not to mention decorations in general, and can make or break a company’s bottom line.

North Carolina produces more than 19 percent of real Christmas trees for the entire nation, and the state’s tree industry is ranked second in the nation in harvested trees and cash receipts, according to data from the N.C. Christmas Tree Association.

Chris Harrison, a department manager at Lowe’s Home Improvement in Washington, said the Christmas season is big for business, especially the sale of real trees.

“We’ve actually gone through roughly, probably 1,000 trees,” he said, adding that there are only about 35 left. “It’s been pretty steady.”

Harrison said this year’s tree sales have been better than last year, which he attributes to the pleasantly aromatic fir trees being of a better quality this Christmas season. Lowe’s in Washington receives trees from Boone, and other greenery products, such as garland and wreaths, come from the mountains of Virginia.

“The largest portion of our sales are greenery, wreaths and garland, live trees,” Harrison said.

He said the sale of the trees makes up a large portion of the profits for his department’s fourth-quarter data.

“This time of year, the trees are what makes or breaks us for sure,” Harrison said.

But despite some Beaufort County businesses relying on tree sales, others view it as merely profit cushioning.

Jane Boahn, owner at Raised in a Barn Farm in Chocowinity, said while Christmas tree sales certainly help the farm, they are not one of the main profit-earning items.

She said this is only the second year the farm has sold Christmas trees, and they were purchased from the in-state Mile High Tree Farm in West Jefferson.

Raised in a Barn Farm has doubled the amount of trees sold from 30 trees last year to 60 trees this year.

And while the real trees are just a side item to sell at the farm, Boahn said it still leads to profits and does promote their business by complementing the other Christmas events happening; customers who buy a tree will get a free photo session with Santa.

“People aren’t even in the mode, you know,” she said with a laugh, referencing the recent onset of 70-degree temperatures. “It’s been pretty good.”