by Sawyer, age 9, asks if Christmas ferns are edible, about the Blue Ridge Mountains, and NC tree farming
Dear Santa,
Howdy from Asheville. My name is Sawyer and I am 9 years old. On our hike last weekend, my dad pointed out a bright green fern growing along the trail and told me it was actually called a Christmas fern, which made me immediately wonder if it was safe to nibble on, the way I sometimes do with wild berries.
My first question is: are Christmas ferns edible?
My second question is geography: what mountain range is Asheville nestled in?
My third question is from school: why is North Carolina one of the top Christmas tree producing states in America?
I left you a biscuit with apple butter and a mug of hot cider.
Love, Sawyer, age 9, Asheville, North Carolina, USA
From the Desk of Father Christmas
Dear Sawyer, a biscuit with apple butter is exactly the sort of Appalachian treat I look forward to, thank you. Now, before you nibble anything else on a trail, let us address that fern.
Are Christmas ferns edible?
The Christmas fern, named for staying green through the winter, is not generally considered a food plant, and it is best treated as one to admire rather than eat. Many wild ferns are not safe to eat raw, and some contain compounds that can cause harm if consumed regularly or in quantity, so the safest rule for any wild plant, fern included, is to never nibble on it unless a trusted adult who really knows their plants has specifically identified it as safe. Its real value has always been decorative, prized for centuries for its lovely evergreen fronds used in winter wreaths and arrangements, exactly the reason it earned the Christmas name in the first place.
What mountain range is Asheville nestled in?
Asheville sits right in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains, part of the larger Appalachian mountain chain, known for its misty blue haze rising off the forested peaks.
Why is North Carolina a top Christmas tree state?
The cool, high elevation climate of the North Carolina mountains is nearly perfect for growing Fraser fir, a species especially loved for its strong branches, soft needles, and wonderful fragrance. That ideal growing environment has made North Carolina the second largest Christmas tree producing state in the entire United States.
Admire that fern, but leave the nibbling to the reindeer, and I shall see you very soon.
Ho ho ho, Santa
