This class , Christmas tree consumer may be challenged again in find a traditional tree due to a continuing supply deficit that can be attributed partly to climate change .
Strain on supply has been building steadily over the retiring few years due to everything from emptor ’ increased interest in having literal trees to recovery from pandemic - induced shipping problems , few local farmers growing trees , and climate variety .
UBC Faculty of Forestry prof Dr. Richard Hamelin explains how clime change continues to blight the real Christmas tree market and what should be turn over for improving the cosmopolitan growing supply chain shortage .
How do we grow Christmas trees?Christmas tree are grown mostly in plantations or on farm . It is more interchangeable to an agriculture operation than a forestry surgical procedure . Christmas tree can also be get naturally in the woodland , but this is a very small proportion of the trees sell and is not really sustainable . The demand is too gamy . In Canada , we produce between three million and six million Christmas trees each year . A large issue of those trees are exported .
What is the preponderating species grow for Christmas trees?There are a assortment of tree species that are favour as Christmas tree diagram : Douglas fir , Noble fir , Grand fir , but also true pine and spruce . Balsam fir tend to be the most democratic in North America . It has nice qualities like mild needle , a decent scent , and it can also hold back its needles longer .
Why is there a famine of Christmas tree decently now?There is a combination of reason for the shortage of Christmas trees . Since 2008 there has been a step-down in the number of farm . So , few Christmas trees are produced than before . The pandemic create a magnanimous need because most mass stayed home and wanted to have Christmas tree diagram in their homes . Then there are the droughts and floods that are add to the shortage .
How is mood change affecting Christmas Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree growth?As we have learned , climate alteration get challenges like extreme weather event , include implosion therapy , heat waves , and wildfires . What really hurts Christmas Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree production is when you have consecutive droughts , as we have had the last two years , flux with freak weather condition result like the heat noggin . This is especially intemperate on the small tree , the seedlings . Pests and diseases have also been a heavy job , and they can be favour by climate modification . Tree that are weakened by stress due to hotness and deluge are more susceptible to disease .
What does the future tense seem like for these trees?Conifers that did n’t expire from the heat dome and the drouth can recover . The producers just have to wait until newfangled needles are produced . This could take a couple of years . So agriculturist can detain harvesting . They can also found new seedlings , hoping that there wo n’t be drouth in the next duad of years .
What are some of the solution to protect Christmas Tree in the future?Genetic scientist are key to finding answers to selecting trees that are more adapted to these harsh conditions and to diseases . For model , they can build roadmaps for describe desirable traits such as drought and pest resilience through the covering of lab methods such as genomic sequencing for conifers . There is also the possibility to select non - aboriginal tree coinage that are more drouth - tolerant , such as the Turkey fir and the Nordmann fir , which are more drought- and disease - resistant .
For more information : The University of British Columbiawww.news.ubc.ca
