Fresh Christmas trees bring fragrance, memories

This holiday season, many American families will be looking for ways to celebrate Christmas that won’t break the bank, and the affordability, tradition and natural beauty of a real Christmas tree is the perfect fit.

As economic uncertainty still looms and household budgets remain tight, many Americans will be spending more time at home but still want to create lasting holiday memories for their families. A real Christmas tree is a relatively small investment that will turn a home into the focal point of holiday celebrations, and don’t forget that wonderful Christmas tree smell.

But long before real Christmas trees become part of a family home, work begins on the farm. Right now, Pacific Northwest Christmas tree farmers are harvesting millions of trees for families across the Western United States. Real Christmas trees can take up to nine years to nurture, grow and harvest, and are often tended to by generations of family farmers. Even so, few buyers understand where their tree comes from or that real Christmas trees are an environmentally friendly option.

Many people are unaware of the value, tradition and environmental benefits of a real Christmas tree, including the following:

•A real Christmas tree in the home signals the beginning of the holiday season, and trees are available in a range of varieties and sizes to fit any family budget. There are even smaller tabletops trees, which are suitable for apartments, children’s rooms or older holiday revelers.

•Real Christmas trees are recyclable, sustainable and renewable, meaning a better environment for future generations. Furthermore, while they grow, real Christmas trees reduce carbon emissions by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, which people, plants and the environment need to survive. 

•From sapling to harvest, family farmers are using sustainable, environmentally friendly practices to grow Christmas trees, which are cultivated, grown and harvested on sustainable farms, just like produce and other crops, so they do not threaten natural forests.

This article is provided by the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association.