Ho Ho Ho: Oregon Still The Leading Producer of Christmas Trees

92 percent of all Oregon Christmas trees leave the state, with the number one export market being Mexico.

Photo courtesy: heritagetreefarm.com

(SALEM) - Results of a new survey confirm that Oregon is tops when it comes to growing Christmas trees:

"We are the big player both domestically and internationally. It's not surprising to see that Oregon is still number one and growing. So, getting bigger all the time."

Bryan Ostlund of the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Growers Association says the survey- done every two years- helps the industry make proper planting decisions based on supply and demand.

This past year, Oregon growers sold 6.9 million trees, up from previous years, at a value of nearly 108 million dollars. The number of growers and the amount of acres planted in Christmas trees are also up.

The survey also indicates a shift in the species type being grown in Oregon. Noble fir is making a mark:

"We always refer to Douglas fir as the bread and butter of the industry. But really, for the first time, we will see more Noble fir harvested in the state than we do Douglas fir” Ostlund said.

Since it would take every man, woman, and child in Oregon purchasing at least two trees each to cover the annual harvest, Oregon needs to send trees to other states and countries. The survey indicates tremendous growth in sales to Mexico, with nearly one out of four Douglas firs grown in Oregon now being sent to the U.S.'s southern neighbor.

The number of Christmas tree growers in Oregon continues to increase and is now at nearly 16-hundred operations.