Valley trees among those to be sent to troops this holiday season

COLUMBUS

Dave Adkins held the trunk of a Douglas fir as he carefully checked the branches and needles.

It was one of the first Christmas trees the agricultural inspection manager at the Ohio Department of Agriculture picked up, looking for egg masses or sickly needles – both telltale signs of insects or diseases.

Such invasive pests can’t be shipped overseas, so inspectors such as Adkins have to closely check each one before giving approval for shipment.

“It doesn’t take very long,” Adkins said, adding, “Every once in a while, we’ll find something.”

On Friday, Adkins was busy at midday inspecting dozens of firs, spruces and pines destined for military bases overseas as part of an annual effort to deliver holiday cheer to the military men and women whose service will keep them away from home during the coming season.

Operation Evergreen has been sending trees to troops for 20-plus years.

This year, tree farms in Mahoning, Trumbull, Wayne and other counties provided the trees.

Read more about the program in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.