Silverton, Ore. – As the holiday season approaches, new interpretive signs installed near the Oregon Forest Resources Institute’s Christmas tree demonstration plot at The Oregon Garden will help visitors to the Silverton attraction learn about Oregon’s Christmas tree industry.
The Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI) developed the two signs in partnership with the Oregon Garden Foundation, Oregon State University Extension, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Drakes Crossing Nursery and the Oregon Christmas Tree Growers Association to highlight Oregon’s status as the number-one Christmas tree growing state in the country.
The signs explain the care that Oregon Christmas tree farms, many of which are family-owned, put into growing Christmas trees, including pruning and fertilizing them, as well as controlling weeds and pests, before they’re ready to travel to homes across the U.S. and abroad to be adorned with lights and ornaments for the holidays.
Each sign is situated near a Christmas tree plot that OFRI maintains to help the public learn about Christmas tree growing as part of the Rediscovery Forest, a 15-acre demonstration forest the Institute manages for educational purposes inside The Oregon Garden. The forest features accessible trails through plots containing a variety of tree species and ages, along with other interpretive signs covering topics such as reforestation, forest management and hardwood forest management.
Paid admission to The Oregon Garden includes access to the Rediscovery Forest. More information about visiting the botanical garden, including hours and ticket prices, is available on The Oregon Garden website.
About the Oregon Forest Resources Institute:
The Oregon Forest Resources Institute supports the forest sector and the stewardship of natural resources by advancing Oregonians’ understanding of the social, environmental and economic benefits of our forests.