Tongass Provides National Christmas Companion Trees
KETCHIKAN, Alaska–Seven “Companion Trees” to accompany the National Christmas Tree (from the Chugach National Forest) were provided
by the Tongass National Forest, Ketchikan-Misty Fiords Ranger District.
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“These companion trees to the national Christmas tree are of the species
Pinus contorta, otherwise known as shore pine, bull pine, twisted pine, and lodgepole pine,” said Ketchikan-Misty Fiords Ranger District Forester Aaron Steuerwald.
“Shore pine that exhibit the more classic Christmas tree form tend to be younger and open grown because branches will not grow if there is shading from neighboring trees. Shore pine in Southeast
Alaska are commonly found in muskegs. Shore pine growing in muskegs are usually short, twisted, and bushy but sometimes can reach 30-40 feet in height,” added Steuerwald.
Aaron Steuerwald and Steve Hollis found the best available Shore Pine were on the Shoal Cove road system on Revillagigedo island in Southeast Alaska.
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Shoal Cove is accessed from Ketchikan by boat or float plane. Art Williams (boat operator), Aaron Steuerwald (forester), Steve Hollis (seasonal forestry technician),
and Crystal Vieira (seasonal forestry technician) loaded the trees.
The trees were shipped to the nation’s capital on Nov. 14 destined for the offices of the Alaska delegation and other locations
in Washington D.C.
For more information on National Christmas Tree, go to
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/chugach/home/?cid=STELPRD3838651
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