Glenn Church’s family have been growing Christmas trees in Royal Oaks for 63 years, but over the past decade they’ve had to change the way they do it. Climate change and persistent drought have made it difficult to grow traditional Douglas fir and other popular Christmas tree varieties in California. To adapt to climate change, Church began importing trees from Oregon while experimenting with growing new grape varieties on the Central Coast. “I had to cross over and start moving from what is traditionally a Douglas fir, which was our main tree, to trees that were a little less traditional,” Church said. In the running to replace its main tree, it is drought resistant. redwoods, cedars, cypresses and pines. They may not look like your typical Christmas tree, but they are beautiful and the church shears them to maintain the desired cone shape. Some of the benefits of these non-traditional Christmas trees, aside from their sturdiness, are that in some cases they grow faster. Church also states that Leyland cypress is hypoallergenic. Unlike many living trees, it won’t make you sneeze because the hybrid doesn’t grow cones and therefore doesn’t bring pollen into your home. Whatever tree you choose this year is likely to be priced higher than last year, as the tree market is not immune to inflation. Farm and tree maintenance costs have also increased this year compared to last year, as wages continue to rise. A positive point this season is the early rain that the central coast experienced in September. days a week until Sunday, December 11, 2022 offering a U-cut for those looking for that old-fashioned family Christmas.
Glenn Church’s family have been growing Christmas trees in Royal Oaks for 63 years, but over the past decade they’ve had to change the way they do it. Climate change and persistent drought have made it difficult to grow traditional Douglas fir and other popular varieties of Christmas trees in California.
To adapt to climate change, Church began importing trees from Oregon while experimenting with growing new grape varieties on the Central Coast.
“I had to cross over and start moving from what is traditionally a Douglas fir, which was our main tree, to trees that were a little less traditional,” Church said.
In the running to replace its main tree, drought-tolerant redwoods, cedars, cypresses and pines. They may not look like your typical Christmas tree, but they are beautiful and Church shears them to maintain the desired cone shape.
Besides their sturdiness, some of the advantages of these non-traditional Christmas trees are that, in some cases, they grow faster. Church also states that Leyland cypress is hypoallergenic. Unlike many living trees, it won’t make you sneeze because the hybrid doesn’t grow cones and therefore doesn’t bring pollen into your home.
No matter which tree you choose this year, the price will likely be higher than last year, as the tree market is not immune to inflation.
“The big cost is transporting a lot of trees that come in from Oregon,” Church said.
Labor costs for maintaining farms and trees have also increased this year compared to last year, as wages continue to rise.
A positive point this season is the early rain that the central coast experienced in September.
“It was especially good because it moistened the ground and made the trees look better,” Church said.
The Church Christmas Tree Farm is open seven days a week until Sunday, December 11, 2022, offering a U-cut for those looking for that old-fashioned family Christmas.