FAQ

A: Worcester Wreath Company proudly produces a wide variety of handcrafted balsam products — including holiday wreaths, centerpieces, our patented tabletop tree, sprays, and garlands — all made from fresh, sustainably harvested Maine balsam fir. Every piece begins with carefully selected branches, cut at the peak of freshness to ensure lasting fragrance, rich color, and needle retention throughout the holiday season.

At our Columbia Falls headquarters, skilled artisans handcraft each product with attention to detail that reflects over 50 years of family tradition and dedication. From harvest to shipping, every step of the process is designed to maintain the natural beauty and quality of the balsam. Our customers can be confident that each Worcester wreath arrives fresh, full, and fragrant, backed by our commitment to satisfaction and craftsmanship. Should a product ever fall short of expectations, our team stands ready to make it right — because for us, every product is more than décor; it’s a symbol of Maine pride, holiday spirit, and the Worcester family’s promise of excellence.

In 1992, Worcester Wreath Company founder Morrill Worcester and a small group of volunteers placed 5,000 Maine balsam wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery to honor fallen service members. What began as a local act of remembrance grew into a national movement after an iconic photograph of snow-covered wreaths went viral. That gesture inspired the creation of Wreaths Across America (WAA) — a separate, nonprofit organization established to carry forward the mission of honoring and remembering veterans each December.

WAA and Worcester Wreath Company are distinct entities. Worcester Wreath continues to manufacture wreaths used in WAA ceremonies nationwide, but all production and supply relationships are managed independently through a competitive, three-year Request for Proposal (RFP) process overseen by  The Dryden Group, a third-party firm that ensures open bidding, compliance, and transparency. As part of the contract award, Worcester Wreath Company assumes all financial, production, fulfillment, logistical, and staffing responsibilities, and bears the full risk associated with meeting WAA’s annual wreath needs.

From the outset, both organizations have maintained full disclosure about their connection. All required tax filings and disclosures are submitted annually to the IRS and state regulators.

The Worcester family remains one of WAA’s largest private donors, contributing directly to programs that teach the next generation about service and sacrifice. Worcester Wreath also reinvests in this mission, donating 30% of profits from related sales to veteran and community causes, and providing jobs for Maine residents.

While the family connection between the company and the nonprofit is well-known, it is managed responsibly through clear recusal policies and independent oversight.

At its core, this partnership reflects shared values of craftsmanship, remembrance, and community—not conflict. It represents a Maine tradition that continues to honor America’s heroes with integrity and care.

A: At Worcester Wreath Company, “tipping” is the careful process of pruning or clipping the branches of Maine balsam fir trees to collect the fresh greenery used in our handcrafted wreaths, garlands, sprays, and other holiday products. This process is done entirely by hand, typically in late fall when the balsam is at its peak freshness and fragrance.

Each tree is tipped selectively, with workers removing only about three years of new growth from the outer branches. This careful approach allows the trees to remain healthy and continue producing new, full branches for future harvests. Worcester Wreath Company follows a 3–4 year tipping cycle, meaning each section of trees is given ample time to recover and regrow before being harvested again.

This sustainable method ensures the long-term health of our balsam stands and maintains the consistent quality and aroma that Worcester products are known for.

A: Nothing goes to waste at Worcester Wreath Company. After the tipping and wreath-making process, any leftover balsam brush and clippings are carefully collected, ground up, and dried rather than discarded. These materials are then sold to a partner company that uses them to create ground balsam products such as aromatic pillows, incense, and essential oils.

This process ensures that every part of the Maine balsam fir is used to its fullest potential — from the branches that decorate homes and honor veterans to the fragrant oils and products that capture the essence of a Maine forest.

A: Each year, the company employs a mix of local and seasonal workers to meet the demands of wreath season. Every applicant — whether local or seasonal — is treated with respect and evaluated based on qualifications, experience, and eligibility to work in the United States.

To uphold the highest standards of compliance, Worcester Wreath Company works closely with independent legal counsel and third-party employment specialists to review and monitor all hiring procedures. The company partners with the McCloskey Resource Group (MRG) to oversee the use of the Federal E-Verify Employment Verification Program, ensuring all workers are legally authorized to work in the U.S. MRG also provides hands-on training for staff on proper identification verification and hiring documentation. Representative Peter Arno, formerly with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, supports these efforts on-site during hiring periods to assist in implementing secure and lawful hiring practices.

Additionally, Worcester Wreath Company’s employment policies are reviewed and advised by Matthew Raynes of Verrill and Dana Law Firm and Tim Woodcock of Katahdin Law LLC, ensuring full adherence to both federal and Maine state labor standards. This comprehensive approach provides accountability, consistency, and peace of mind for both employees and management.