GOVERNOR, FIRST LADY O’MALLEY CUT FRESH, LOCAL CHRISTMAS TREE FOR FIRST FAMILY

SYKESVILLE, MD (December 4, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley, First Lady Katie O’Malley and their children today kicked off their family holiday festivities by visiting Pine Valley Farm, a 100-acre Carroll County family farm, and cutting their own fresh, local Christmas tree.

“Buying local trees for the holidays not only keeps Maryland smart, green and growing, but most importantly, keeps our families employed and preserves jobs in our State,” said Governor O’Malley.  “Buying locally is good for the local economy, the health of our environment, and the spirits of those who enjoy the sight and smell of a fresh tree this time of year.  I encourage all Marylanders to buy their Christmas tree from a locally-owned farm.”

The O’Malley family chose from a selection of Douglas Fir, and Fraser Fir trees. The Douglas Fir, introduced into the United States in 1827, was at one time the most important lumber producing tree in the United States, according to The Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (Michael Dirr). The Douglas Fir, one of the most noble forest trees, is also one of the best short-needled Christmas trees because needles do not easily fall off.   According to the Maryland Christmas Tree Association, the Fraser Fir is a native southern fir and very similar to the Balsam Fir with dark green needles that are soft to touch.  It is a popular tree with excellent needle retention along with a nice scent.  Fraser Fir was named for Scot botanist John Fraser who explored the southern Appalachians in the late 1700s.

The O’Malley family is one of thousands who will venture out to find the perfect Maryland tree this year.  Not only do real trees look and smell beautiful, they are also a renewable, recyclable resource that keep unwanted waste out of our landfills and are good for the environment.  While they are growing, real Christmas trees absorb carbon dioxide and other gases and emit fresh oxygen, unlike artificial trees which are petroleum-based. When growing in open space, a three-inch diameter Douglas Fir tree can reduce atmospheric carbon by 23 pounds and intercept 102 gallons of storm water runoff per year.

Maryland farmers offer some of the freshest Christmas trees available, which come in several unique varieties.  While the Fraser Fir is a popular choice, there are many additional varieties grown throughout the state, including:  Douglas Fir, Concolor Fir, Scotch Pine, White Pine, and Blue Spruce.

“Maryland farmers work year-round to provide customers with high-quality, fresh, fragrant Christmas trees for the holiday season,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance.  “Visiting a local farm to find the perfect Christmas tree is a great family activity and a fun way to spend an afternoon. Many Maryland farms have additional activities as well, such as sleigh rides and visits with Santa.  This year as an added attraction, anyone buying a tree from a member of the Maryland Christmas Tree Association can win a trip City of Riga, Latvia, to draw attention to the 500th anniversary of the first decorated tree in Latvia and Maryland Christmas tree farms.”

Pine Valley Farms has more than 100 acres of manicured fields, owned and operated by the Wolfe Family for 33 years in Carroll County.  A member of the Maryland Christmas Tree Association, Pine Valley Farms has more than 8,000 Fraser Firs and 8,000 Douglas Firs available for families to cut their own Christmas trees this year and 100,000 trees planted for future harvest.  The farm also offers a wide selection of holiday roping, wreaths, crafts and refreshments. www.pinevalleyfarms.com

Maryland boasts more than 200 tree farms statewide with nearly 3,000 acres in active production.   In Maryland, Carroll County has the greatest number of cut Christmas tree farms with 22. Baltimore, Frederick, Garrett and Montgomery round out the top five counties. According to the Census of Agriculture, Maryland Christmas tree growers harvested 77,800 trees in 2007 valued at $2.4 million.  There are about 15,000 Christmas tree growers in the U.S., and over 100,000 people employed full or part time in the industry.

To find more information on the seasonal bounty offered by Maryland’s farms, as well as a listing of local Christmas tree farms, visit www.marylandsbest.net. For environmental benefits, the top 10 Myths vs. Facts about Christmas Trees, how to care for your farm-grown fresh Christmas tree, or about Christmas tree varieties grown in Maryland, visit www.marylandchristmastrees.org/ .   To learn more about Christmas trees, visit www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/christmastreefacts.pdf.

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