UPDATES FROM REAL CHRISTMAS TREE BOARD

RCTB’s previous five virtual tours have been very successful — reaching 116,643 students and teachers. Most post-tour survey respondents (98%) reported a positive or very positive perception of the real Christmas tree industry, and indicated they trust growers are taking care of the environment and natural resources.

Based on the comments from attendees, the tours truly engage audiences and help students and teachers connect the dots between our growers and the real Christmas trees in their homes. When asked what they most enjoyed, responses included:

• I liked that children were exposed to the concept of farming and how that relates to taking care of our earth.
• Great to be at an actual farm. Kids were wondering if the trees seen on the virtual trip were going to be possibly in their house later this year.
• That we got to visit a new state and see and receive information that we wouldn’t get where we live.

RCTB encourages growers to share information about RCTB’s Arbor Day Virtual Field Trip with educators, homeschool families, parents and friends. Interested persons can register for the 30-minute virtual field trip online. 

In Remembrance: Jim Heater

Please join us in celebrating the life Jim Heater who passed on March 18, 2026. Jim played an active role in founding the Real Christmas Tree Board and served as an original board member.

Jim founded Silver Mountain Christmas Trees in 1968 with just 12 acres of trees. He worked tirelessly to expand his acreage each year and eventually became one of the largest growers in the nation. He also founded the Silver Mountain Conifer Seedling Nursery to ensure his fields had the highest quality seedlings and supplied a wide range of growers and forestry companies. Jim also held many offices, including president, of the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association and supported industry research by hosting seed orchards on his farm that were used for genetics research.

The industry has lost a legend and dedicated advocate of the real Christmas tree industry. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

RCTB Research Is Available Year-Round

To help RCTB growers meet their most pressing challenges — be it on their farm or with their marketing campaigns — RCTB hosts a series of free webinars each year and funds research projects across the United States. These assets are easily available to growers on the RCTB website. Eleven webinars are currently available online. The online RCTB research library allows growers to search by category, primary investigator, research/publication year, tree species, growing region or institution.

REMINDER: Nominations Being Accepted for RCTB Board

Nominations are being accepted for four RCTB board seats — one Western region seat, two Eastern region seats and one Central region seat. The appointments will be effective January 1, 2027 and are for a three-year term.

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their nomination forms, which are due by June 1, 2026. To be eligible, nominees:

• Must have domestically produced or imported more than 500 Christmas trees during the most recent fiscal period
• Have paid all past and present assessments in full
• May seek a nomination only in the region in which they produce the majority of their Christmas trees (for those who produce in more than one region)