Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches....
The branches may be lovely, but are they real or artificial? Each holiday season, the first consideration for many people is whether to buy a real or an artificial Christmas tree.
Environmental benefit?
Sure, an artificial Christmas tree may require less work than a real Christmas tree, but it may surprise you to find out that choosing a real Christmas tree is an environmentally friendly choice. According to the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA), an acre of Christmas trees produces the daily oxygen for 18 people! Real Christmas trees provide other benefits for our environment too:
The economy
Buying a real Christmas tree supports our economy too. Real Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states and Canada and the industry employs over 100,000 people full or part-time. Eighty percent of artificial trees are manufactured in China.
Involve the whole family
Selecting a real Christmas tree from a local Christmas tree farm can be a fun family outing. Tell your kids how tall the tree needs to be, then give them free reign on the selection. Choosing a Christmas tree can be almost as fun as decorating one!
Environmental benefit?
Sure, an artificial Christmas tree may require less work than a real Christmas tree, but it may surprise you to find out that choosing a real Christmas tree is an environmentally friendly choice. According to the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA), an acre of Christmas trees produces the daily oxygen for 18 people! Real Christmas trees provide other benefits for our environment too:
- While real Christmas trees are growing, they absorb carbon dioxide and other gases and emit fresh oxygen.
- Real Christmas trees are renewable. They are grown on farms just like any other crop. To ensure a constant supply, real Christmas tree growers plant one to three new seedlings for every tree they harvest.
- Real Christmas trees are biodegradable, which means they can be easily recycled for mulch and other purposes.
The economy
Buying a real Christmas tree supports our economy too. Real Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states and Canada and the industry employs over 100,000 people full or part-time. Eighty percent of artificial trees are manufactured in China.
Involve the whole family
Selecting a real Christmas tree from a local Christmas tree farm can be a fun family outing. Tell your kids how tall the tree needs to be, then give them free reign on the selection. Choosing a Christmas tree can be almost as fun as decorating one!