Keeping it REAL!
It's the natural choice.
Where do REAL trees come from and how does Christmas tree farming affect the environment?
In the past, most Christmas trees came from the forest; today approximately 98% are grown on Christmas tree plantations.
Most southern grown Christmas trees take 4-5 years to reach marketable heights. During that time, farmers work very hard caring for their trees. Trees must be fertilized, protected from insects, and pruned two to three times annually. Mowing is required to reduce unwanted competition during the summer months.
While Christmas trees are growing, they add oxygen to the atmosphere and provide habitat for wildlife. Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource.
Once a tree has been harvested and the Christmas season is over, the trunk and branches can be used as mulch for gardens, parks or in animal stalls. The mulch provides a protective barrier for the roots of other plants and vegetation while preventing weeds from growing. The mulch then decomposes, providing the nutrients plants need to thrive. Mulching programs are a fast growing trend in communities throughout the nation.
Some communities use Christmas trees to make effective sand and soil erosion barriers, especially at beaches and on river beds. Sunk into private fish ponds, the trees make excellent refuge and feeding area for fish. Click here to view a short video on the wetlands restoration efforts of the Jefferson Parish Christmas Tree Marsh Restoration Project.
Where do fake or artificial trees come from and how do they affect the environment?
Most artificial trees (85%) in the U.S. are imported from China.
As quoted from the National Christmas Tree Association: Artificial trees are a petroleum based product that consume vast resources during fabrication. A burden to the environment, artificial trees are not biodegradable and will remain in landfills for centuries after disposal. The average usable life span of an artificial tree is only six years.
Go ahead, support an American farmer and make your Christmas a REAL Christmas. Our farmers thank you.
Click here to visit the National Christmas Tree Association's website for a comparison of REAL and artificial trees.
The Southern Christmas Tree Association
