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John Schmitz, June 28, 2002.
The Capital Press.
SALEM – With 8.3 million trees harvested in 2001, Oregon continues to
lead all other states in Christmas tree production.
Closely behind Oregon is North Carolina, which harvested 7.5 million trees
last year, most of them Frasers. Michigan is in third place nationally,
at 4 million trees, followed by Washington, 3.3 million trees, Wisconsin,
3 million trees and Ohio 1 million.
Nationally, there were between 34 million and 36 million trees harvested
in 2001.
Based on a conservative estimate of $18 average per tree, Oregon's farm-gate
value for Christmas trees in 2001 was $149 million. Washington came in
at $59.4 million.
Noble and Douglas fir whole-sale prices vary widely from plantation to
plantation, depending on who the buyer is. Usually, large chains can buy
trees in quantity for less than smaller independents. To satisfy the demand,
many larger operations have to buy trees from smaller growers to meet
chain store demand.
Though more and more chains are selling Christmas trees, "in-dies,"
as they are called, still form the retail backbone of the industry.
At one time, Douglas fir was the signature Christmas tree in the Pacific
Northwest. In recent years, however, Noble firs have reached parity with
Douglas firs because of their superior needle retention and desirable
bluish-green color. In 2001, 45% of the trees harvested in Oregon and
Washington were Douglas firs, 45% Nobles and 7% Grand firs. Up and coming
species to keep an eye on are Fraser firs and Nordmann firs, which offer
the same great needle retention.
It takes an average of 7 years to grow a marketable Douglas fir Christmas
tree. Nobles, on the other hand, require 2 more years, which is reflected
in the price. Grand firs take 8 years to reach harvest age.
There are currently about 67,000 acres planted to Christmas trees. In
Oregon, 35,000 acres in Washington. Nationally, there are about 1 million
acres growing Christmas trees.
There are about 700 Christmas tree growers in Oregon. Washington has around
325.
In Oregon, the counties with the largest Christmas tree production are
Benton, Clackamas, Polk and Lane. In Washington top-producing counties
are Kitsap, Lewis, Mason and Thurston.
Each year, about 90% of the Christmas trees harvested in Oregon and Washington
are shipped out of the region. California is the biggest customer. Overseas
customers include Japan, China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Hawaii, Alaska,
Mexico, Guam, Puerto Rico and Samoa. Mexico is now the largest foreign
customer.
About one-third of Americans celebrate Christmas with a live Christmas
tree. Another third put up artificial trees and the remaining third have
no tree at all.
As one Oregon grower put it recently, "There's plenty of room for
growth for us."
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