Oregon Christmas Trees
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. Priya Rajarapu works as a Christmas tree expert for Oregon State University’s Extension Service, helping the state’s 300-plus growers produce a healthy crop every year.
Rajarapu says she is studying how to keep Oregon’s holiday industry thriving …
RAJARAPU … “Oregon is the number one producer of Christmas trees in the country. In 2022, we produced 3 million trees accounting for $118 million dollars, contributing to Oregon’s economy. In addition to that, the Christmas tree industry also provides seasonal employment which accounted for a thousand employment opportunities in rural areas of Oregon.”
And there are enough real Christmas trees, Rajarapu says for everyone who wants one …
RAJARAPU … “Consumer preference hasn’t changed much. Noble Firs still remain to be the most preferred or premium Christmas tree, but Eurasian firs like Turkish fir are gaining popularity with consumers.”
She says there are products out there that claim to keep your trees healthy, but not much science to support that …
RAJARAPU … “The best way to keep the tree healthy or fresh and last longer is to water them consistently the first week that you get them. After that the tree takes lesser and lesser water which means lesser care, but long-lasting tree that drops less needles.”
Rajarapu says she likes everything about working with Christmas trees, working with growers and helping them come up with creative solutions to help their production.
In her Extension role and as an assistant professor in the College of Forestry, Rajarapu, who earned her doctorate in entomology, is studying how to keep Oregon’s holiday industry thriving as the climate changes.
