This week declared National Christmas Tree week

The Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) today praised the U.S. Senate for unanimously passing Senate Resolution 341, which designates the first full week of December in 2011 as “National Christmas Tree Week.”

The resolution recognizes the important environmental, historical, and economic role that real Christmas trees have played in the nation’s history.

“This resolution honors the joy that Christmas trees bring to families every December, and also the Oregon farms and families that produce these beautiful trees,” said Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), who introduced SR 341. “While Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states, they are vitally important to Oregon’s economy. We produce more Christmas trees than any other state in the union, and we are proud of that tradition.”

This year in Oregon, growers estimate that 6.6 million Christmas trees will be harvested and delivered to locations across the globe. There are currently approximately 60,000 Oregon acres in Christmas tree production, representing nearly $100 million in sales value.

“Sen. Merkley is telling the nation what we know to be true in Oregon: that the Christmas tree industry is an economic asset and job provider for our state,” OAN Executive Director Jeff Stone said.

SR 341 encourages Americans to celebrate the joy that real Christmas trees bring to families across the country. It also encourages the recycling of Christmas trees following the holiday season. “Nothing else brings in the holiday cheer than celebrating the holidays with family and friends surrounded by the aroma of a fresh cut Christmas tree," said Hollie Spivey, president of the OAN Christmas Tree Chapter. “We are thankful to Sen. Merkley for his resolution and support of our industry.”