For Scientific American Science Quickly, I'm Kendra P.

In for Rachel Feldman.

The Christmas tree feels like a tradition from time and memorial, and in some ways it is.

Historians trace the use of evergreens in winter festivals as far back as ancient Egypt and Rome.

But the modern American custom has more recent roots,

to the 1800s and German immigrants in Pennsylvania.

These immigrants are believed to have brought the practice to their new home in the U.S.

The tree custom gained even more traction when it appeared in an adapted sketch of Queen Victoria

and her German-born husband, Prince Albert, and their children,

that was published in a U.S. Women's magazine.

Many credit it with kicking off a trend that has endured to today.

And while a number of people in recent years have opted for lower maintenance synthetic trees,

many revelers still prefer the look and smell of real trees.

But because of climate change, natural Christmas trees and their fans are facing new risks.

Today we talked to Priya Rajarapu, an assistant professor and Christmas tree extension specialists

at Oregon State University, about the risks, tree growers are weathering, and what, if anything,

can be done.

So Priya, what exactly do you do?

The most simplest way I could explain is when you are sick, you call a doctor.

And when Christmas trees are sick, growers usually reach out to me.

What kinds of trees are Christmas trees?

And how are they typically grown?

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