Environmental Issues

OUR CROP ROTATION IS 9 TO 14 YEARS.

Christmas tree farms stabilize soil, protect water supplies and provide refuge for wildlife while creating scenic green belts. Often, Christmas trees are grown on soils that could not support other crops.

Real or Plastic?

Real tree or Plastic? Many consumers will be asking themselves that question this holiday season.

In this age of environmental awareness it’s appropriate to know a favorite family holiday tradition of choosing a real Christmas tree over an artificial tree is still the environmentally sound choice. A benefit to the atmosphere, real Christmas trees absorb carbon dioxide and other gases, emitting fresh oxygen. This helps prevent the earth-warming “greenhouse effect”.

One acre of Christmas trees produces the daily oxygen requirement for 18 people. With approximately one million acres producing Christmas trees in the United States, that translates into oxygen for 18 million people every day. For every real Christmas tree harvested, three seedlings are planted in it’s place.

Real Christmas trees are an all-American, recyclable resource. Artificial trees, most of which are manufactured in Korea, Taiwan, or Hong Kong, consist mainly of non-biodegradable plastics and metals. When disposed of, the artificial trees will never deteriorate.

Post Holiday uses for Christmas trees

After the holidays, a Christmas tree has many uses.

  • Trees can be placed in the backyard or garden and used as a bird feeder. Orange slices and peanut butter are good food sources for birds in the winter, and the branches provide excellent shelter.
  • The branches of the Christmas tree may be removed and used as mulch. The trunk can also be used as mulch if it is chopped first.
  • Fir tree foliage can be stripped from the branches and snipped into small pieces for stuffing into aromatic fir needle pillows, for sofa or bedroom.
  • Large quantities of used trees make effective sand and soil erosion barriers, especially at beaches.
  • Sunk into fish ponds, trees make excellent refuge and feeding areas.
  • Woodworking hobbiests can make a multitude of items including buttons, gavels, and candlesticks from the trunk of a recycled Christmas tree.
  • Balled and potted trees can be planted in the yard for added years of enjoyment.