November 30, 2010
Bronson To Present Florida Christmas Trees At Capitol
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson will continue the tradition of presenting Florida-grown Christmas trees to the Governor and Cabinet on behalf of the Florida Christmas Tree Association, which is celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Christmas Tree Tradition.
On Wednesday, Franco and Sigrid Camacho, owners of Bavarian Christmas Tree Farm in Tallahassee, will present fresh-cut trees to Governor Charlie Crist, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Attorney General Bill McCollum during a brief presentation hosted by Commissioner Bronson. The trees will remain on display at The Capitol through the holidays.
Franco and Sigrid Camacho moved from South Florida to Tallahassee 12 years ago and purchased 15 acres in eastern Leon County where they planted 1,000 Sand Pine and Virginia Pine Christmas trees. They selected the name Bavarian Christmas Tree Farm in recognition of Sigrid’s native Germany. After years of experimenting with various varieties of trees to determine which ones grow best in the area, the farm now also features Carolina Sapphire, Leyland Cypress, Red Cedar and Bavarian Cypress.
Bavarian Christmas Tree Farm is located at 4352 Safari Run in Tallahassee, 8.6 miles from Interstate 10 on Highway 90 East. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until December 24. The telephone number is (850) 668-7582. In addition to choose-and-cut trees, the farm also has a crafts and gift shop. Bavarian Christmas tea is also available.
Bronson said he hopes that many Florida consumers will opt for Christmas trees grown in Florida at farms such as Bavarian because of the environmental and economic benefits.
“Artificial trees are primarily manufactured overseas largely out of metals and plastic, so after disposal they remain in a landfill for centuries,” Bronson said. “Real Christmas trees are renewable, recyclable and biodegradable. While growing they absorb carbon dioxide and other gases, emit fresh oxygen, stabilize the soil, protect water supplies and provide refuge for wildlife. Florida-grown trees don’t have to transported long distances, thus saving energy. And, buying from local farms helps local economies.”
The Florida Christmas Tree Association is comprised of more than 20 farms throughout Florida. The association was organized foster a sense of community interest and cooperation among growers to help promote the production of better Christmas trees, spur research, encourage grading, and market trees grown in Florida.
The year 1510 A.D. has been recognized as the first recorded instance of a decorated real Christmas tree, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. That first Christmas tree was decorated with paper flowers in Riga, Latvia. In remembrance of this event, the Florida Christmas Tree Association is celebrating 2010 as the 500th anniversary of the Christmas tree tradition.
For more information on Florida Christmas trees and to locate a tree farm near you, visit florida-agriculture.com/consumers/christmas_trees.htm.
For more information:
Liz Compton
(850) 488-3022
