christmas

Rare moon to light up skies on Christmas

By Linda Weiford, WSU News PULLMAN, WASH. – A brilliant moon should be all that Rudolf needs to guide Santa’s sleigh over the Pacific Northwest this Christmas. For the first time in almost four decades, a full moon will hang high in the sky, making the landscape glow – especially where there is snow.

Purple needle eater threatens noble fir holiday boughs, trees

By Sylvia Kantor, College of Agricultural, Human & Natural Resource Sciences PUYALLUP, Wash. – Noble fir, the iconic tree of holiday greenery, is under attack by a disease known as purple needle eater. The mysterious disease attacks new growth, causing needles to turn purple and die. 

Holiday greenery harvest adjusts to ‘Godzilla El Nino’

By Sylvia Kantor, College of Agricultural, Human & Natural Resource Sciences OLYMPIA, Wash. – Harvest of evergreen boughs for holiday garlands and wreaths got a late start thanks to the warmest October on record. Just what the economic impact is won’t be clear until the holiday season is over.