Be not afraid, for unto all these bring great joy ‘GREEN’ CHRISTMAS TREES

By Susan McMann

OSU Ext. master gardener volunteer

According to Christmas tree-growers, sales are up. It seems that many of us, some of whom have never purchased or set up a live tree, are now considering it. In this era of artificial, prelit Christmas trees, why would anyone want to buy a live Christmas tree? Some reasons people are considering it include:

Having the scent of a real pine tree in the house.

The allure of a family outing to select a real tree. This could include hot chocolate, and a memorable horse-and-wagon ride to find the perfect tree before cutting it down.

The appeal of buying local and supporting the community.

Real evergreen trees have lots of environmental benefits, including:

The farms that grow Christmas trees stabilize soil, protect sensitive fresh water supplies, provide refuge for wildlife and create beautiful scenic green belts.

Live Christmas trees are renewable. They are grown on farms just like other agricultural crops. To ensure a constant supply, Christmas tree-growers often plant one to three new seedlings for every tree they harvest.

Live Christmas trees are recyclable and biodegradable, which means they can be easily reused or recycled for mulch and other purposes. Indeed, recycled live Christmas trees have been used to make sand/soil erosion barriers and have been placed in ponds for fish shelter. You should have a recycling idea prepared before Christmas arrives.

Health Benefits:

Live Christmas trees can help those who suffer from allergies by removing dust and pollen from the air.

When growing, live Christmas trees support life by absorbing carbon dioxide and other gases and emitting fresh oxygen. In fact, an acre of Christmas trees provides the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary (lung) disease (COPD), is the third-leading cause of death in the USA. Smoking accounts for all but about 25 percent of the cases. Air pollution causes many of the other cases. Living in an area (or home) with green space, including trees – well, it helps clean the air.

For some, especially those who are used to artificial trees, buying and setting up a real tree may seem like daunting task. But with a little planning, thought and care, a live Christmas tree can bring joy over the holidays, create lasting memories and benefit the environment.

For information on the environmental impacts and choosing your own tree, visit http://go.osu.edu/arealtree.