Fraser fir tree species. Growing and harvesting this species for Christmas trees and boughs is a multimillion-dollar business in the southern Appalachians. North Carolina produces the majority of Fraser fir Christmas trees. It requires from 7 to 10 years in the field to produce a high tree. In 2005, the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation making the Fraser fir the official Christmas tree of North Carolina. Fraser fir The Fraser fir ("Abies fraseri") is a species of fir native to the Appalachian Mountains of the Southeastern United States. "Abies fraseri" is closely related to balsam fir ("Abies balsamea"), of which it
Douglas Fraser He dropped out of high school when he was 18, worked in a machine shop, and took several jobs in the automobile industry. Fraser eventually found work as a metal finisher in one of Chrysler's DeSoto factories, where he became active in the union in 1936. He was twice fired for his union beliefs and activities and participated sitdown strikes at Chrysler. Fraser was elected president of UAW Local 227 in 1943, and served in the US Army during World War II. After the war, Fraser quickly rose through the ranks in the UAW. He was appointed an international representative