NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665

December 2, 1999

Christmas Trees Becoming a Home-Grown Commodity

Lovers of real Christmas trees might conclude that the passing millennium is ending on a high note, one ringing with good environmental news. That's because 98 percent of Christmas trees are now grown on farms rather than coming from forests. And, for every Christmas tree that gets cut this year, up to three more replacements will get planted next spring, according to the St. Louis-based National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA).

"The best way to guarantee that a tree is fresh is to cut it yourself," says Marcus Jackson, forester with the North Dakota State University Extension Service. "There are somewhere around 15 to 20 choose-and-cut Christmas tree operations in North Dakota."

The NCTA estimates that there are about 6,750 tree farms currently operating in the United States. For the 1998 holiday season, 32.4 million families bought real Christmas trees, and then during April 1999, the nation's tree farmers planted about 56 million seedlings. Christmas trees typically need to grow between four and 15 years to reach a harvestable size.

For trees that have already been cut, Jackson offers the following tips for determining freshness:

• Bounce the butt of the tree on the ground or shake the tree vigorously. It's normal for a few brown needles from the inside of the tree to fall off, but if green needles fall off, look for another tree.
• Pull gently on the green needles. The needles should be tightly attached.
• Bend a few needles. The needles should be flexible and feel sticky or moist when broken.
• Ask the vendor where the trees were grown. Trees shipped long distances may not be as fresh.

Because of the potential fire hazard that improperly maintained real trees can pose, Jackson says it's critical that consumers understand a few basics. First, if the tree won't be put up right away, store it in a shaded, unheated area until bringing it indoors for decorating.

"Before placing the tree in a stand, cut off about 1 inch from the butt to ensure good water uptake," Jackson stresses. "Trees can use a quart, or more, of water a day, so trees should receive water every day. If the tree's water uptake slows, it may be a sign that the tree is beginning to dry out. Do not allow the basin of water to dry out, or you may need to cut another inch off the butt so that adequate water uptake will continue."

Of all the real Christmas trees purchased, the NCTA estimates that about 59 percent are recycled in community programs. Christmas tree mulch works well for roadside landscapes, and several of North Dakota's larger communities currently have Christmas tree recycling programs in place. Jackson says other communities wanting to initiate a recycling program during the year 2000 may want to consider contracting with an arborist who owns a commercial-size chipper.

For more information about purchasing, maintaining or disposing of real Christmas trees, contact Jackson by calling (701) 231-8478, or send questions via e-mail (mjackson@ndsuext.nodak.edu).

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Source: Marcus Jackson (701) 231-8478
Editor: Dean Hulse (701) 231-6136