A REAL CHRISTMAS TREE

A real Christmas tree is a tree that grew from a seed planted in a nursery. It grew to a seedling a few inches tall. Then it was planted in a field at a Christmas tree plantation. For years it was cared for, shaped, and nurtured as an agricultral crop to serve your family's Christmas holiday. Few Christmas trees grow in a natural forest setting, and most of those are cared for as a crop.

Christmas tree farm trees are good for the environment. The National Christmas Tree Association says one acre of Christmas trees provide the oxygen requirements for 18 people. Unlike an artificial tree, a real Christmas tree is not made of precious non-renewable resources. It is 100% natural. Unlike an artificial tree, a real Christmas tree contributes to reducing gloabl warming by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. There are about 1 milion acres planted to Christmas trees in the U.S., so unlike the manufactured tree, real tree farms help everybody.

A CHRISTMAS TREE ADVENTURE

Hunting for a Christmas tree is an adventure. It takes 5 to 15 years to grow our real trees. Some species grow faster. Among our tree patches young and old trees are intermixed. It is an exciting adventure to search for the perfect Christmas tree--getting on your knees, sawing through the sap, carrying your tree and loading it onto your car. Not everyone is a convenience buyer, many still have the adventurous spirit and love of a real old fashion Christmas.

WHERE THE HELL IS ROYAL OAKS?

Royal Oaks, located in North Monterey County between Prunedale and Watsonville, includes the historic communities of Pajaro, Las Lomas, and parts of Elkhorn, Aromas, and Prunedale. It is a U.S. Post office approved postal place name. It is the area in Monterey County served by the Watsonville Post Office. It is a rural area of over 10,000 people. It arose because of residency, tax and fee confusion with the use of Watsonville, a Santa Cruz County postal name. Royal Oaks was a cooperative effort between citizens, the Monterey Board of Supervisors, and the U.S. Postal Service who conducted an election to select the community name of Royal Oaks. It was named after Monterey County's first regional park.