University of California Studies New Christmas Tree Species in California.

Byline: University of California Division of Agriculture

OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 4 (AScribe Newswire) -- El Dorado County Christmas tree grower Randy Rapetti believes he may have been the first farmer in California to plant Nordmann fir Christmas trees a few years ago, but the conifer is already showing great potential to brighten the holiday season for Californians who enjoy visiting choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms.

Nordmann fir, native to Caucasus Mountains of Turkey and the Republic of Georgia, have a richer color than the much more common native species -- such as Douglas and red fir -- which make up the bulk of Christmas trees on Sierra foothill tree …