OLYMPIA, Wash. — In 2020, Oregon Christmas tree growers cut and sold 3.44 million trees, down 27 percent from 2015. The gross sales for 2020 totaled $107 million, up 26 percent from 2015, and the average price per tree was $31.06. This is the first time this study was conducted since 2015.
There were 31,124 acres growing Christmas trees, down 24 percent from 2015, with seven counties making up most of the acres. The two largest counties growing trees were Clackamas County with 9,472 acres growing trees and Marion County with 7,198 acres. Noble fir was the industry leader in percentage of trees sold, accounting for 49 percent of all trees sold in 2020. Douglas fir accounted for 41 percent of all trees sold; Grand fir, Nordmann/Turkish fir and other species accounting for the remaining 10 percent. Noble fir was also the leader in highest average price, selling for $38.68 per tree.
In 2020, 6.15 million trees were planted. Producers intend to plant 5.83 million trees in 2021.
Two new questions were added to the survey this year. Growers that planted seedlings in 2020 reported an average 12 percent mortality rate. Seventy-seven percent of the growers with mortality loss said they replaced/interplanted new seedlings among the surviving seedlings.
Thanks to growers for their participation! Thanks also to Oregon Department of Agriculture, Christmas Tree Program staff, and Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association for their support of the survey.
— USDA NASS
For more Oregon news, click here.