Green Tip of the Day

January 1st, 2008

Christmas Tree Recycling Facts

In a national survey, 93% of consumers who used a real Christmas tree recycled theirs in some type of community program.

Christmas trees are recycled for five main types of large-scale uses for post-harvest trees. These are:

chipping (chippings are used for various things from mulch to hiking trails)
beachfront erosion prevention
lake and river shoreline stabilization
fish habitat
river delta sedimentation management

Today around 98% of real Christmas trees are grown on farms throughout all 50 states and Canada. Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource, and real trees are planted to be harvested just as corn and/or pumpkins are cultivated for a harvest.

For each real Christmas tree harvested, up to three new seedlings are planted in its place, depending on farm size and current field rotation. Young trees in their rapid growth years have a high rate of photosynthesis and thus produce more oxygen than older trees.

This year, over 60 million new seedlings were planted by Christmas tree farmers all over North America.

Above tips courtesy of Earth911.org

PS-If you have a fake tree that’s a little more ragged than you care to see it, DON’T throw it in the trash! Donate it! Clean off any tinsel and box it up and donate it to your local Goodwill or Salvation Army. There are plenty of those less fortunate who don’t have a tree of any kind. Wouldn’t you feel better knowing you’re helping the environment and allowing your tree to continue to give more joy in coming years for another family? Happy 2008!