In the lumber-centric Pacific Northwest, Douglas and noble fir are the classic choices for a Christmas tree — aromatic, good for ornaments and able to last a few weeks.
But with hotter and drier summers, could there be a new species onto the scene? Enter the Nordmann and Turkish fir.
According to Priya Rajarapu, an assistant professor at the College of Forestry at Oregon State University, and the official Christmas Tree Specialist for the university's extension service, Nordmann and Turkish fir have been gaining popularity among growers in the Pacific Northwest.
The trees, which originate from Turkey and the country of Georgia (and are nearly identical to each other), were introduced in the 2000s by researchers in the U.S., wondering if they might be more resilient, she said.
In anticipation of a hotter, drier climate, foresters across the Pacific Northwest have been trying out growing different species of trees, like redwoods or native species with seeds sourced from farther south.
To grow and sell a Christmas tree means establishing saplings in sites where rainfall is the only form of irrigation, spending years cultivating them to the right shape, and monitoring them for pests and diseases.
(For) Christmas trees, the entire tree needs to be perfect to be sold," Rajarapu said.
The market is largely driven by consumers, she said, and Pacific Northwesterners love the noble fir "dearly" because of its aroma, strong branches, bluish color and the fact the tree doesn't shed needles like the Douglas fir even when it goes unwatered.
However, the noble fir is "very sensitive" to high temperatures, low precipitation and the type of soil it's planted in, she said. Stressed trees send out scents that signal to pests like spider mites, aphids and weevils that they're vulnerable for attack. No good for the Christmas tree buyer.
Nordmann and Turkish firs are hardier and more able to withstand low precipitation and warmer weather, Rajarapu said. Growers have been planting them in sites where they've found Noble firs do not do well.
In 2005, Nordmann firs made up just 0.6% of all Christmas trees sold in Oregon, the leading Christmas tree-growing state in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In 2023, that species and the Turkish fir made up around 8% of sales in Oregon, according to the USDA.
Washington state is only the fourth top Christmas tree-growing state in the U.S., after North Carolina and Michigan. While Douglas and noble firs made up around 90% of Oregon Christmas tree sales in 2023, Fraser fir is the dominant species on the East Coast.
Rajarapu said growers have also been mulching Christmas tree saplings with sawdust and research has shown that mulching boosts the survival rates of saplings.
There is plenty of research that still needs to be done, Rajarapu said, including exactly how tolerant Nordmann and Turkish firs are to heat and drought.
OSU is also collaborating with Washington State University, North Carolina State University and Michigan State to study consumer preference and whether scientists could breed an ideal Christmas tree, she said.
Could the Nordmann and Turkish fir one day compete with the Douglas or noble fir? Possibly, Rajarapu said.
Based on Rajarapu's interactions with the public, many people are still drawn to the familiar classic look of the noble and Douglas firs. However, there are some people who are attracted to novelty of the Turkish fir, which is also beautiful and has strong branches for ornaments, she said.
"It's just like buying a car. There's a luxury version, there's an economy, and there's sport and there's a mid touring version, Rajarapu said.
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