Growing Oregon’s Economy  

Sustainability program turns Christmas trees even greener

A worker shears a Douglas-fir with a razor-sharp knife.
A worker shears a Douglas-fir with a razor-sharp knife on the Sunrise Tree Farm near Philomath. Photo by Lynn Ketchum.
click image for larger image

OSU Extension helps Christmas Tree industry sustain land, water, and profits

Christmas trees have become a little bit greener with a new sustainability program that the Oregon State University Extension Service helped develop.
Oregon is the nation’s top producer of Christmas trees, garnering $99 million in sales in 2011.

Christmas trees have become a little bit greener with a new sustainability program that the Oregon State University Extension Service helped develop.

Oregon is the nation’s top producer of Christmas trees, garnering $99 million in sales in 2011.

To be certified, a farm must develop a plan for all its operations addressing five areas of social and environmental health: biodiversity, soil and water resources, integrated pest management, worker health and safety, and consumer and community relations.

OSU Extension provides training and support to growers in developing their sustainability plans. The Oregon Department of Agriculture conducts independent inspections of the farm, and the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Growers Association provides the final certification approval.

Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service

Print this article and other Growing Oregon’s Economy articles (PDF).
Share this

Related articles