Now there's hope for allergy sufferers who want to enjoy the warmth and beauty of a real Christmas tree.
"Christmas tree asthma" causes coughing and wheezing and can ruin Christmas for those affected. For years this problem, along with associated nasal congestion and sneezing, were thought to be caused by molds growing on the Christmas tree. New research, however, indicates the real culprits are oleoresins produced by the tree itself. Ironically, it is these same oleoresins that give Christmas trees their pleasant Christmas scent.
Leyland cypress, a new southern Christmas tree grown at Louisiana's Christmas Forest, seems to cause little, if any, problems for those with allergies. We've been selling Leyland cypress since 1990 and many of our customers tell us it's the first real tree they've had which didn't bother their allergies. They're thrilled they can finally have a real Christmas tree in their home.
One of our secretaries had a child with severe allergy problems. After using a Leyland cypress as her family tree, she said it was the first real tree she had ever been able to have. Her child was not bothered at all.
A friend, Baton Rouge allergy specialist Dr. A. C. Dalton, supports our observations. After hearing us talk about Leyland cypress, he asked for one to put in his office. For about a week he kept it outside on the porch, afraid to force it on his patients. But when none of his patients objected and many told him they already used a Leyland, he moved it into his waiting room.
Dr. Dalton enthusiastically endorsed Leyland cypress and used one in his office for several years prior to his retirement, with no complaints from his patients. Based on his experience, other medical doctors in Baton Rouge are now buying Leylands for their offices and requesting flyers about our farm and the Leyland cypress to give to their patients.
