Why use Real Trees?
(From the National Christmas Tree Growers)
Real 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.
"What could be simpler or more natural?" says Bob Scott, President
of the National Christmas Tree Association. "Buying a real Christmas
tree is definitely an environmentally sound choice."
"Consumers are showing their preference for real, natural products
that are socially conscious. Many young families are attracted to the tradition
of celebrating Christmas with a real tree in their home," explained
Scott.
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.
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
its place.
Real Christmas trees are an all-American, recyclable resource. Artificial
trees, most of which are manufactured in Korea, Taiwan or Hong Kong, consist
of plastics and metals that aren't biodegradable. When disposed of,
the artificial trees will never deteriorate. Their effects on our environment
are evident and will remain for countless generations.
Give a gift back to the environment!
- Real Christmas trees are an all-American product, grown in all 50
states, including Alaska and Hawaii. Most artificial trees are manufactured
in Korea, Taiwan, or Hong Kong.
- Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource. Artificial trees
contain non-biodegradable plastics and metals.
- For every real Christmas tree harvested, 2 to 3 seedlings are planted
in its place.
- There are about 1 million acres in production for growing Christmas
trees. Each acre provides the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people.
- There are about 15,000 Christmas tree growers in the U.S., and over
100,000 people employed full or part time in the industry.
- There are approximately 5,000 choose and cut farms in the U.S.
- It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of average retail
sale height (6 feet), but the average growing time in 7 years.
- The top selling Christmas trees are: Balsam Fir, Douglas Fir, Fraser
Fir, Noble Fir, Scotch Pine, Virginia Pine and White Pine.
It's Environmentally and Traditionally Wrong to buy
and use plastic products to celebrate Christmas!!!
Here's why...
Consider these important facts...
1. Fake trees and wreaths are made from nonrenewable petroleum.
REAL Christmas trees and wreaths do not harm our environment and our resources...
they are produced as an agricultural crop. Each year Christmas tree growers
replace cut trees with a new crop of seedlings.
2. When a fake tree catches fire, it puts dangerous toxic fumes into the
air.
A properly cared-for REAL Christmas tree will not catch fire easily. If
and when it does, its fumes will certainly not be as toxic. In addition,
one acre of REAL Christmas trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
and produces enough oxygen for 18 people.
3. Fake trees cannot be recycled. When they are disposed of in a sanitary
landfill, they will not disintegrate, but will remain there forever, taking
up increasingly scarce landfill space.
Our cities today are faced with a critical shortage of sanitary land fill
space. Many of them, and states as well, have passed laws prohibiting disposal
of REAL Christmas trees in a landfill. REAL trees are thus being used in
various helpful ways when disposed of...such as ground-up mulch to replenish
the soil, fish habitat and other useful methods.
But, what about disposal of fake Christmas trees? No legislation has yet
been passed to prohibit their disposal in a landfill. A fake Christmas tree
has no use whatsoever when disposed of, except to continue taking up space
in critically-needed landfill space.
4. Fake trees are manufactured mainly outside of the United States.
We hear much today about our economy being faced with a loss of jobs. Why
do we continue to promote loss of jobs in the Christmas tree industry by
buying and using fake Christmas trees and wreaths when very few fake trees
and wreaths are made in the United States by American Labor.
Thousands of jobs have already been lost in the Christmas tree industry
because continued sale and use of fake trees and wreaths continues to be
encouraged.
Over the years, the Christmas tree has come to symbolize the faith and hope
of harmony among all mankind. This spirit is REAL and a REAL Christmas tree,
when brought inside our homes, projects this feeling through its pleasant
scent and natural warm beauty.
Wake Up, America!
Celebrate Christmas with a REAL Christmas tree and wreath, while helping
protect our valuable nonrenewable environment.
webmaster

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