VALUE OF A REAL TREE

Some Things Never Change.

Your grandparents told stories of going to the woods with their parents on a winter day to cut the family Christmas tree, the excitement of looking for just the perfect tree, and finally bringing it home to decorate that evening by the warmth of an open fire.

Unfortunately, with more of us living in urban areas, this centuries-old Christmas tradition almost disappeared, just one more price we paid for our modern lifestyle.

But today, with the proliferation of Choose-&-Cut Christmas Tree Farms, families all across the country are rediscovering the family tradition of cutting their own tree. Now, instead of trees being cut from the forest, 98% of all Christmas trees are cut from tree farms where for every tree cut, at least one new seedling is planted--so our world has more and more trees.

How Real Trees Help Our Environment

During their growing process, Real Trees rid the air of carbon dioxide and release oxygen for people and animals to breathe.

The roots and needles of Real Trees help hold soil in place.

Real Trees can be recycled (1) by chipping them into mulch and also (2) by putting them in lakes to provide a place where fish can live and grow. (See "Recycling Locations").

Real Trees also can be set upright in your yard as a bird feeder with food (such as suet or seed balls) attached.

Real Trees provide a home for wildlife. Birds build their nests in trees, and rabbits make their nests in the pine straw under trees. Deer also use trees to protect them from being seen.