The Hawai‘i Forest Institute was awarded a $40,000 grant over two years starting January 2023 from the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) to grow potted Christmas trees. This phase of the project included working with Kealakekua Forest Nurseries, Forest Solutions, Inc. and Aileen’s Nursery to grow seven different species;
- Italian Stone Pine (Pinus pinea)
- Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)
- Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum)
- Cook Pine (Araucaria columnaris)
- Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)
- ʻAʻaliʻi (Dodonaea viscosa)
- ʻAlaheʻe (Psydrax odorata)
Our goal was to expand a fledgling local Christmas tree industry, leading to reduced imported container stock; reduced alien species introductions; and reduced workload of State Agricultural inspectors. Providing the Hawaiian Islands with locally grown Christmas trees supports import replacement and promotes the State’s “Buying Local, It Matters” message.
Project objectives:
- Provide locally-grown Christmas tree options to replace imported trees by assisting nurseries, and other vendors who grow and sell Christmas trees to respond to importation risks and supply chain disruptions.
- Produce and disseminate a guide on how to continue growing and pruning the trees into bigger Christmas trees for future years; and
- Provide community outreach through Christmas tree sales/gifting events, workshops, webpages, social media, and other avenues.
We worked with woodworkers and woodworking students to create mini Christmas tree ornaments for the table-top Christmas trees.
Locally-grown Christmas Tree Growers Guide
Hawai‘i Papahana Lāʻau Kalikimaka Evaluation Survey Report
Hawaii Tribune Herald Article 12-12-2024
Honolulu Star Advertiser Article 12-10-2024
HFI Autumn 2024 E-news article
HFIA E-NEW Winter 2024-Christmas Tree
Project Update and Events
Christmas Tree Pre-Order Form 2024
August 31, 2024 Potting Workshop
HI Tribune Herald-Ag inspectors find live snake in Hilo 11-20-2024
Project Funders and Partners
Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) Specialty Crop Block Grant
Kealakekua Forest Nurseries
Forest Solutions, Inc.
Aileen’s Nursery
Hawai‘i Forest Industry Association
Big Island Invasive Species Committee
According to Hawaii-grown Christmas Tree Market Potential, a study conducted by SMS Research and funded by the State of Hawaii Department of Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry & Wildlife (DOFAW), and the US Forest Service, “In 2012 it was estimated that the total number of Christmas Trees sold in Hawai‘i was in excess of 190,000. Of these, the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture estimates that 183,000 Christmas trees (96%) were imported. The remaining approximately 7,500 Christmas trees (4%) were grown and sold in Hawai‘i.”
According to the study, the majority of imported Christmas trees are Douglas Fir and Noble Fir, which are preferred by Hawai‘i residents because of their fragrance, color, and low price. Representatives from DLNR’s Department of Forestry and SMS Research discussed the results of the study and applied them to the potential future for a Christmas tree market in Hawai‘i. The study outlines the pros and cons associated with growing Christmas trees in Hawai‘i and identifies several ways in which a Christmas tree market may be realistic and desirable for both local farmers and consumers.
Christmas Trees growing in the Nursery
