The Christmas tree is often the centerpiece of our holiday celebrations, with its sweet evergreen aroma and beautiful decorations. Many celebrants even have more than one tree in their home to spread the holiday cheer throughout. Some cover it in colored lights while others prefer white lights and still others cover it in icicles in preparation for the ornaments.
According to the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA), the first recorded display of a decorated Christmas tree was in 1510, in Riga, Latvia. Those Christmas trees were decorated with fruit, cookies, and candy, which would later be shared amongst family members as gifts after the holiday season had ended.
The use of evergreens as a symbol and celebration of life during winter solstice celebrations actually began in ancient Roman and Egyptian times. And this practice evolved over the centuries to be incorporated in the celebration of Christmas in the Germanic areas of Europe.
Today, millions of families around the globe celebrate the holiday season with a fresh, farm-grown real Christmas tree. For many, it’s the aroma of a real Christmas tree that draws them in, reminding us of prior Christmas celebrations while bringing back a those cherished holiday memories.
Is selecting a real Christmas tree bad for the environment?
One prevailing myth is that all real Christmas Trees come from pristine forests and that it’s harmful to the environment to select a real tree. This couldn’t be further from the truth. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, 98% of all real Christmas trees are grown on farms as sustainable crops, just like corn or pumpkins. In fact, there are approximately 25-30 million real Christmas trees sold in the U.S. alone every year with close to 350 million trees growing on Christmas tree farms right now!
Real trees are renewable and a recyclable resource with more than 4,000 local Christmas tree recyclable programs in place in the U.S. For every real Christmas tree harvested, one to three seedlings are planted the following spring on the more than 15,000 farms growing Christmas trees today. And while they’re growing, real Christmas trees support life by absorbing carbon dioxide and other gases and emitting fresh oxygen. The farms that grow Christmas trees stabilize soil, protect water supplies, and provide refuge for wildlife while creating scenic green belts. Often, Christmas Trees are grown on soil that doesn’t support other crops.
Many people also believe that a real tree can trigger allergies. While it’s quite possible that a person can be allergic to tree pollen or even tree sap, it’s not as widespread as many believe. About.com reports that during the holidays there “are many allergens that can cause reactions, although the Christmas tree often takes the blame. The main culprits include mold, dust, and food.” A real Tree itself is unlikely to produce pollen during December, but being outdoors for years in the field, it can collect pollens, dust, mold or other allergens as can an artificial tree stored in the attic or basement.
If you’re worried about your real Christmas tree being a fire hazard you can relax. According to the National Fire Protection Association, fewer than one-one thousandth of a percent (0.001%) of all real Christmas trees used each year are involved in a fire. With proper care, real Christmas trees can maintain their freshness and moisture content throughout the holiday season.
So if any of these myths is stopping you from buying a real Christmas tree this year, you can set aside those worries and indulge in one of the oldest Christmas traditions. Whether you buy your real tree at Home Depot like I do, or buy one directly from a Christmas tree farm (visit the NCTA Christmas tree locator for a location near you), or even order one online from a vendor like atreetoyourdoor.com, take comfort that you’re not hurting the environment with this sustainable recyclable crop.
Fun real Christmas tree facts
There are approximately 25-30 million real Christmas trees sold in the U.S. every year.- There are close to 350 million real Christmas trees currently growing on Christmas Tree farms in the U.S. alone, all planted by farmers.
- North American real Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states and Canada.
- The Christmas tree was introduced to the U.S. by German settlers in the 1800s and were sold for the first time commercially in 1851.
- President Franklin Pierce is credited with bringing the first Christmas tree to the White House in 1853.
- Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource.
- There are more than 4,000 local Christmas tree recycling programs throughout the United States.
- For every real Christmas tree harvested, 1 to 3 seedlings are planted the following spring.
- There are about 350,000 acres in production for growing Christmas trees in the U.S.; much of it preserving green space.
- There are close to 15,000 farms growing Christmas trees in the U.S., and over 100,000 people are employed full or part-time in the industry.
- It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of typical height (6 – 7 feet) or as little as 4 years, but the average growing time is 7 years.
- The top Christmas tree producing states are Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Washington.
Source: National Christmas Tree Association
