Oregon is the nation’s top Christmas tree producer, supplying more than 33% of the U.S. market. In 2023, Oregon growers produced about 3.4 million trees, generating an estimated $117.6 million in sales. The industry provides thousands of seasonal jobs, particularly in rural areas. Clackamas and Marion counties lead in production.
The most popular species are noble and Douglas-firs, valued for their quality and appearance. But growers face increasing challenges. Record heat in 2021 destroyed nearly 70% of newly planted seedlings. Drought, pests and disease continue to threaten tree health. Common pests include aphids, twig and root weevils, bark beetles, adelgids and needle midges.
With continued OSU Extension support, Oregon’s Christmas tree industry is positioned to stay strong — growing high-quality trees and adapting to climate challenges.
Oregon State University supports growers through research and outreach. The Agricultural Experiment Station and OSU Extension Service help improve tree quality, increase sustainability and develop tools to manage changing growing conditions. Much of this work takes place at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center (NWREC) in Aurora.
In December 2024, OSU welcomed Priya Rajarapu as the new Extension Christmas tree specialist. An assistant professor in the College of Forestry’s Department of Forest Engineering, Resources and Management, she is only the second person to hold this position. She succeeds Chal Landgren, who served from 2008 to 2023.
Rajarapu brings expertise in forest entomology, pest ecology and insect-plant interactions. She began studying Christmas trees in 2022, researching resistance to elongate hemlock scale. At OSU, she focuses on noble and Douglas-firs as well as Turkish, Trojan and Nordmann firs introduced by Landgren from the mountains of Turkey and the Republic of Georgia.
She oversees the Christmas tree seed orchards at NWREC and has visited farms across western Oregon to learn directly from growers. “I feel very fortunate that I’ve been accepted into their community,” she said. “They’re willing to teach and help me — and that kind of support is really important in this role.”
Her early priorities include improving seedling survival and developing a growing degree day model to help growers better time pest control. She established a demonstration plot at NWREC to test ground cover treatments for soil moisture retention and seedling health. She also plans to hire a graduate student to scout pest activity and refine control strategies.
Rajarapu is also collaborating with economists in the College of Forestry to evaluate the cost of growing less common species like Nordmann and Turkish firs. Her broader goal is to help growers produce healthier, more abundant trees and keep them affordable for consumers.
While she has a strong background in lab research, Rajarapu emphasizes real-world solutions. “I’m a very practical person and believe in applied research,” she said. “This position is the perfect blend of my interests in service and science.”
With continued OSU support and Rajarapu’s leadership, Oregon’s Christmas tree industry is positioned to stay strong — growing high-quality trees and adapting to climate challenges.
