TREE SQUEEZE: The number of Christmas trees...
TREE SQUEEZE: The number of Christmas trees grown in Orange County has dwindled in recent years, and growers say it’s only going to get worse. . . . “Land is getting too valuable to lease out for tree farms,” says Michael Frederick of Santa’s Forest of Yorba Linda. It takes two to three years to grow a tree to selling size, he explains, and fewer landowners are willing to tie up with long leases property that might go for development.
Pining Away
Decrease in Christmas trees grown in Orange County
‘86: 74,950
‘87: 77,550
‘88: 77,550
‘89: 70,000
‘90: 50,000
Source: County Dept. of Agriculture
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