Oregon is the leading producer of Christmas trees in the United States, supplying over 33% of the national market. In 2023, Oregon produced approximately 3.4 million Christmas trees, generating around $117.6 million in gross sales.
The industry supports thousands of seasonal jobs, particularly in rural areas, with Clackamas and Marion counties being the top producers. The most popular tree varieties grown in Oregon are Noble firs and Douglas-firs, which are valued for their premium quality.
Oregon's Christmas tree growers face several challenges. Extreme weather events, such as record heat waves, have significantly impacted tree health and survival rates. For instance, the summer of 2021 saw record heat that destroyed roughly 70% of young trees. Tree diseases and pests, such as aphids, pose ongoing threats.
Oregon State University, through its Agricultural Experiment Station and Extension Service, plays a crucial role in maintaining the industry's top position through research and breeding programs that focus on improving tree traits and sustainability.
OSU conducts extensive research on Christmas trees, primarily at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center (NWREC) in Aurora. OSU research at NWREC focuses on developing new tree varieties with improved traits such as disease resistance, better growth rates, and enhanced aesthetic qualities.
OSU investigates strategies to help Christmas tree growers adapt to climate change, such as developing heat-tolerant tree varieties and innovative irrigation systems. Research also includes optimizing cultivation techniques to improve tree shape, size and density. This involves studying the effects of different pruning, fertilization and irrigation methods.
By developing better tree varieties and cultivation techniques, OSU helps growers increase their yields and improve tree quality, which boosts the state's economy. These research efforts help ensure that Oregon remains a leader in the Christmas tree industry by improving tree quality and sustainability.
In January 2025, OSU welcomed Priya Rajarapu, an assistant professor in the College of Forestry, as its new Christmas tree Extension specialist.