SKOWHEGAN — Turning balsam tree tips into wreaths and garland became a business at Central Maine Wreath, 228 North Ave., started by Tom McCarthy 46 years ago. Company employees makes about 18,000 feet of garland and wreaths up to 144 inches in diameter.

Misty Witham, left, Marissa Lawler, Jessica Brann and Lori Lawler make wreaths and garland Nov. 7. Production began Nov. 5 and will continue until Dec. 22, said Louann Barnes, an order processor. The company has 15 seasonal employees, some have been with the company for 20 years.

Wreath makers Matthew Martin, left, and Kevin Asher keep the mood light while working. Martin met his wife Misty at the factory 23 years ago when they were assigned to make kissing balls, he said. Martin is shown at the controls of a wreath machine that wraps wire around balsam tips, attaching them to the frame.

Barnes shares the floor with Santa Claus where deliveries are tracked on a dry erase board. Deliveries are made to all New England states in addition to California, Oklahoma, Nevada, Idaho, Colorado, Tennessee, Kansas, Illinois, Michigan and Arizona and Missouri, Barnes said. In Maine deliveries are made to Sugarloaf, Kennebunkport, Sun Flours in Kingfield, Vision Flowers & Bridal Designs in Oakland, and Hopkins Flowers and Gifts in Manchester.

Heath Washburn rolls a spool of garland. The wreath and garland factory, shown in the background.

Barnes, left, and Erica Violette decorate wreaths Nov. 13 at the business.

Violette adds a pinecone to a wreath. Pinecones are purchased by the case with about eight cases of cones on hand. About 40,000 pine cones are used each year, McCarthy said. They have 4,000 yards of ribbon featuring 30 different designs on hand. Red bows are purchased by the case.

Barnes carries a wreath to a display wall. People can purchase or order wreaths between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. seven days a week through the holiday season.

Barbara Clement of Norridgewock, right, and Phyllis Stevens of Central Maine Wreath share a happy moment after Stevens selected a free wreath to place at the gravesite of her father Phil Johnson, a World War II Navy veteran. Clement said her dad died in 2023. The company donated 40 free wreaths to be placed at the graves of war veterans from Skowhegan.

Clement places a wreath at the gravesite of her father. Johnson and Clement’s mother Bessie Johnson are buried side by side at Calvary Cemetery on North Avenue.

Clement pauses at the gravesite of her parents.

McCarthy holds up a 72-inch wreath outside the business on North Avenue. The business makes thousands of wreaths each year. The wreaths range in size from eight inches up to 10 feet in diameter.

McCarthy, right, and employee Scott Steward carry wreaths to a holding bin.

Corey Johnson, top, and Chris Alix with the of Skowhegan Highway Department wrap a light pole with garland and red rope light Nov. 20. The men said it takes a week to decorate the lights poles and bridges downtown.