La Jolla residents are very lucky to live amidst beautiful torrey pines, one of the rarest pine tree species. However, the month of December brings an influx of a very different tree species to La Jolla — the Christmas tree! I, on the other hand, consider myself lucky to live in the Pacific Northwest, the world’s largest producer of the Douglas fir and the only region in the world that produces the noble fir Christmas tree. In fact, 90 percent of the trees sold in California are grown in Oregon and Washington. As a professor of forestry at Oregon State University, I have worked with farmers in Clackamas County, Ore., the heart of Christmas tree country, for the last 33 years and enjoy being in the field where Christmas trees are grown. But quite frequently, I find that most people aren’t familiar with the journey their Christmas tree makes to get to their home for the holidays. Christmas trees bring a wonderful sense of holiday nostalgia and fragrance into the home. To clear up a common myth, however, Christmas trees are not cut from a forest or the top of an already existing tree. Real Christmas trees are grown on sustainable farms, just like San Diego cultivates avocados or citrus, so they do not threaten natural forests, and growers typically plant one or more trees to replace every tree that is harvested. While the end product appears only briefly, growing the trees — planting, fertilizing, pruning, shearing, etc. — is a task that takes years before the trees ever reach La Jolla. That’s great news for residents in La Jolla, as Christmas trees are still being shipped to local lots. It’s only a matter of a few days before you receive freshly harvested trees. How to pick a fresh tree So, how do you make sure your family’s not only selecting the most beautiful tree on the lot, but also the freshest? Try the smell-and-snap test. First, grab a bundle of branches and give them a gentle crush to release the smell of the needles. If it has a musty or mildew smell, look for another one. Next, remove a needle from the tree and bend it between your fingers. If it snaps similarly to a carrot, the tree is fresh. If the needles are pliable and bend, that may mean the tree is not as fresh. Lastly, you’ll want to inspect the tree for signs of dryness or deterioration: excessive needle loss, discolored foliage and wrinkled bark are signs that you may have unwanted needles in your home before the holiday is over. Proper care With the proper care, your tree should stay green and healthy throughout the holidays, minimizing clean-up and maximizing the joy of your holiday. The first crucial care step is making a fresh cut on the bottom of the tree in order to open its pores. Don’t worry about making the cut yourself. Have the staff at your local lot cut off at least one half-inch, and put the tree in water as soon as possible. Lots of fresh water is a must — daily. An average tree may consume between a quart and a gallon of water per day. If the water level drops below the cut end of the trunk, a seal will form and no more water will be absorbed by the tree unless another fresh cut is made. So, don’t forget to add water every day. ?To learn more about Christmas trees grown in the Pacific Northwest, and tree purchase and care tips, visit the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association website, at www.nwtrees.com. — Mike Bondi is a professor of forestry at Oregon State University.
