million pounds of fresh balsam. when you re in the wreaths business it s all about the balsam, and the almost 3 million pounds of it to make the wreaths has to be cut by hand. it s called tree tipping. cutting from the newest growth from the branches without damaging the tree. what you want is at least three years of growth, if you can. right there, right here. always leave enough green, though, that it s going to come back three years time you come back and tip the same piece again. for six weeks a year, the population at columbia falls swell as the company brings the seasonal workers to tip trees and make the wreaths. it s labor-intensive, hard work on rugged land. and with short daylight hours, there s no time to waste. number 41 on the 18th of november.