From NOAA/NCEI And you climate fanatics are such liars!
How weather and climate change affect Christmas tree production
Courtesy of Getty Images
We've all heard that December is “the most wonderful time of the year,” according to a familiar song. December is associated with generosity and kindness, and is a time to gather with family and friends to celebrate the holidays.
As we prepare for this special time of year, there is one staple that many of us have in our homes: the Christmas tree. Christmas trees are an important part of the holiday season, and while artificial trees can be purchased, nearly a quarter of the trees displayed in American homes are real.
For many people, Christmas trees represent love; however, what most people don’t know is that growing a Christmas tree takes time and is truly a labor of love.
About the Christmas tree
Christmas trees are coniferous trees. Conifers are trees that produce cones, which contain the seeds of the tree (Figure 1). Conifers typically have needle-shaped leaves, and most are evergreen, meaning they retain their needles year-round. Most conifers are found in the wild, and years ago families often obtained Christmas trees from their backyards or the nearest forest. Today, conifers used as Christmas trees are commonly grown on farms in various states, including Hawaii, according to the National Christmas Tree Association.
The two largest Christmas tree producing states are Oregon and North Carolina. Oregon produces more than 4.7 million Christmas trees each year, accounting for approximately 33% of the U.S. Christmas tree production.
Although there are more than 600 species of conifers, the most popular Christmas tree is the Fraser fir (Figure 2), followed by Douglas fir and Noble fir. Noble fir and Douglas fir are the most prolific Christmas trees in Oregon, while North Carolina mainly grows Fraser fir.
Unlike typical crops, which take years to grow, Christmas trees can be sown and harvested in just a few months. Every spring, Christmas tree growers plant saplings, usually 1 to 3 saplings for each tree harvested the previous fall. However, these trees are slow growing, taking 6-12 years to reach maturity, which usually occurs when the tree is 6-8 feet tall. Farmers typically harvest the trees in early to mid-November and they are available for purchase before Thanksgiving.
Extreme weather events impact Christmas tree production
Like other crops, Christmas trees are susceptible to extreme weather conditions. Extreme heat and prolonged periods of little or no rain (also called drought) can stress trees, making them more susceptible to attracting insects and disease. It can also cause needle browning and loss, stunting tree growth and increasing the risk of tree death. Extreme rainfall can cause fields to flood and may cause root rot. Extreme cold can cause frost damage, drying out any buds or buds the tree may have. While these extreme events can affect any Christmas tree, seedlings are often the most vulnerable. Here are two examples of extreme weather events affecting the Christmas tree industry in Oregon and North Carolina, respectively.
Extreme heat and drought: In the summer of 2021, a strong and persistent high pressure system occurred in the western United States. From mid-June to mid-July, the region set daily extreme high temperature records. This resulted in multiple monthly and seasonal records being set in Oregon, including the hottest July on record and the hottest summer on record (Figure 3).
Extreme heat also exacerbates drought conditions in the region. By August 3, 2021, much of the West, including Oregon, was under severe to abnormal drought conditions (Figure 4).
During this period, agriculture was severely affected. Christmas trees were also affected; however, the extent of damage was reported to vary by location and tree species, with Fraser firs suffering the most severe damage. Oregon State University said continued extreme temperatures and very dry conditions caused more than 70% of Christmas tree seedlings planted that year to die, and the needles of more mature Christmas trees to completely dry out. Farmers assessed the damage and tried to save as many trees as possible by pruning the burned needles of mature trees. In addition to the financial losses to farmers due to the loss of seedlings, the main impact of that year's events may have been on the quality of the surviving trees and may have resulted in a slight increase in their prices.
Hurricane Helen: Another major weather event occurred in late September 2024 that impacted the Christmas tree industry, particularly in North Carolina. The region experiences catastrophic flooding and deadly landslides.
Most Christmas trees in North Carolina are planted on slopes, which protects them from devastating floods. However, thousands of Christmas trees were destroyed due to landslides and other hurricane-related events. Helen caused approximately $125 million in damage to ornamental nurseries and Christmas trees. This also includes the money and time spent planting these trees. There was also extensive damage to infrastructure and roads, limiting traffic in and out of the farm at the time. Christmas tree growers spend extra money repairing infrastructure in time for harvest season. Through their efforts and that of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the harvest season was not affected because access to the farms was no longer an issue.
How climate change affects Christmas trees
The Earth's climate is warming, and while the overall rise in global temperatures may seem small, this change could lead to dramatic changes in extreme weather events, affecting many aspects of our lives. According to the Fifth National Climate Assessment, the United States is already experiencing warmer temperatures and longer-lasting heat waves, with greater frequency and/or severity of heavy precipitation, droughts, floods, wildfires, and hurricanes. Although extreme cold events are still possible, their frequency and intensity are decreasing nationwide.
Climate warming will affect Christmas tree production through changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, shifts in growing areas, and increased risk and prevalence of pests and diseases.
Transfer planting area: While this may not be a current issue, farmers may have to consider moving their farms further north or to higher elevations where cooler climates are most beneficial to the specific conifer species they want to grow as the climate changes to warmer ones.
Pests: Warmer winters and longer growing seasons have led to an increased prevalence of pests on Christmas trees, such as aphids, mites and mites. While weather conditions fluctuate from year to year, the United States overall is experiencing less extreme cold temperatures that typically kill most pests during the winter. This allows more pests to survive and continue to grow in numbers. Most pests, such as aphids and mites, cause cosmetic damage that affects the quality of the tree and therefore the number of trees it sells. However, Balsam Woolly Adelgid (BWA) has the ability to kill Christmas trees, especially Fraser firs. BWA is reported to have killed approximately 95% of the Fraser firs that exist naturally in North Carolina. Although BWA has natural enemies, they are unable to significantly control the infection on their own. That’s why Christmas tree growers implement integrated pest management strategies to help prevent and eliminate pests in an environmentally friendly way. This strategy uses minimal pesticides and targets different insect life cycles.
disease: Phytophthora root rot (PRR) is one of several diseases that affect Christmas trees and is a major concern for Christmas tree growers. PRR is caused by oomycetes (also called water mold), which are fungus-like organisms. This usually occurs when the area where the tree is located is very wet and does not have proper drainage. This disease affects the roots of the tree, weakening the tree's roots and ultimately killing the tree within a short period of time. Other symptoms may include needle browning, falling off, and wilting of new growth. For more information about other types of illnesses, see the North Carolina Extension page.
The future of Christmas trees
Earth's climate is getting warmer. Like most societies and environments, Christmas trees can’t adapt to these changes fast enough. While climate change is a growing concern in Christmas tree production, North Carolina State University scientists are conducting research to better understand the natural defense mechanisms of Christmas trees, specifically Fraser firs, and how they can withstand stress and become more resilient ability in order to survive. Armed with this information, scientists hope to help the industry by producing Christmas trees that are adaptable to climate change and more resistant to its threats. Think of it like a “first-class” Christmas tree. Not only do they hope to create the perfect Christmas tree that can withstand extreme weather events, but they are also researching ways to improve the smell of Christmas trees and develop a tree that matures faster (like six years instead of ten) and has better needle retention .
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