Having doubts about what Christmas tree to buy? Oregon has you covered.
Did you know, Oregon is one of the top six states for supplying Christmas trees to the rest of the nation. That’s right: While those in Florida, Arizona and California have their trees trucked hundreds of miles, you are at ground zero for finding a tree to make your home merry and bright.
But that abundance also creates challenges: What tree to chose?
The most common Christmas tree is the Noble Fir, and it is Oregon’s signature tree. Full and dark green, this is your quintessential Christmas tree—and, buyers’ beware, can fill the house with the ole Clark Griswold “oh no, the Christmas tree is far too big for the house” effect.
If you are looking for more slender, shall we even say Charlie-Brownesque, the Nordmann fir may be the perfect trim fit. With spacing between branches, there is plenty of space for ornaments.
Fraser firs are also a common Christmas tree. Similar to the Noble fir in looks, the branches stick further up, and have a silvery tint to their green needles. The smell of the Fraser fir, though, is their calling card. They will make your house smell like Christmas for the whole holiday season.
Living in Oregon, you have various places to choose your perfect tree. Whether you prefer a trek into the forest to cut one down, a field where they are ideally planted to analyze them, or even just a lot on the side of the road, the options are endless. In Forest Grove’s west side, David Hill Farm and Gardens is a great place to support—and, although a long-held holiday tradition, the farm has a new owner, Erik Aartsen.
“We are unique in that this is our first year,” explains Aartsen. “This tree farm has a long history: 30 years of families visiting. I expect we will see lots of new and familiar faces.”
And, although most people may only start thinking about Christmas trees just after Thanksgiving, Aartsen explains that Christmas tree are year-round—and multiple cycles of years, at that.
“This is a long cycle,” says Aartsen.“It takes seven to eight years for a tree to go to market. There is lots of field preparation and tending to the trees. It requires trimming, shearing, fertilizing, and weed management. We have had to adapt to our longer, hotter, and drier summers. Shifting and experimenting with more Nordman and Turkish fir, that tolerate longer drought and hotter soil conditions. The last two summers have been a struggle for the popular Noble fir; we see a lot of loss in the first year. We want to share this family farm with the community and foster long-term.”
David Hill Farm is located at 45627 NW David Hill Rd, a scenic ten-minute drive from campus into wine country. Once you start going, you hit a gravel road. Not too far past that, you see the “David Hill Farm” sign, surrounded by beautiful Christmas trees. That is when you breathe a sigh of relief; it is Christmas time. — Avari Schumacher
Major: Sports Communications
Hometown: Stayton, OR
Hobbies: Watching baseball, thrifting, skincare, hanging out with my pets, snowboarding, and going on walks.
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