MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Okay, so Christmas isn't for another 153 days, but who doesn't love a little holiday spirit during the summer months. So as we look ahead to the cold, winter months, the question of which is better suited for the environment...real Christmas trees or artificial ones.

The National Christmas Tree Association pinned real trees versus artificial ones on which Christmas tree is more environmentally friendly. But before you go placing bets, here's some basic information about the Christmas tree tradition.

Legend has it that Martin Lither began the tradition of decorating trees to celebrate Christmas. On Christmas Eve, around 1500, Martin Luther was walking through snow-covered woods when he was struck by the beauty of a group of small evergreens. Their branches were dusted with snow and looked so magical in the moonlight. When he got home, he set up a little fir tree indoors so he could share this story with his children. He decorated it with candles which he lite in honor of Christ's birth.

The Christmas tree tradition most likely came to the US with Hessian troops during the American Revolution, or with German immigrants to Pennsylvania and Ohio. The tradition slowly spread through out the country and today Christmas just is not Christmas without a great looking tree.

Now back to the contest...Which is more friendly to the environment, the real trees or artificial ones?

The National Christmas Tree Association makes a few great points...

PLACE OF ORIGIN

• Real Trees -Mainly the US or Canada creating lower costs in shipping and fuel usage.
• Artificial - Mainly China, again cost of shipping increases along with fuel usage

METHOD OF PRODUCTION

• Real - Farming where planting begins in January through May. Nearly 45 million trees are planted in North America alone with 446 million trees growing on US farms. All this farming of trees adds emense amounts of oxygen and reduces carbon dioxide from the air we breath.
• Artificial - Made in a factory where natural resources are consumed in large quantities. Once completed the factories then ship their trees all over the world, once again using more natural gases.

COMPONETS

• Real - You guessed it...100% tree and 100% biodegradable
• Artificial - You guessed it...Plastic and metal...not 100% biodegradable

PVC

• Real - Not found at all
• Artificial - Loaded with it

PVC is a synthetic resin used to make plastic objects like raincoats, toys, and containers. Today it is produced in larger quantities than any other plastic except polyethylene.

CARBON NEUTRAL

• Real - Yes because the trees can absorb carbon dioxide and when decomposing, carbon, nitrogen and other elements are released into soil
• Artificial - Definitely not when plastic is a petroleum byproduct

RENEWABLE RESOURCE

• Real - Of course, with over 446 million trees being re-planted in the US alone, that's renewable 100 times over.
• Artificial - Not exactly. Petroleum, used to make plastic, is a non-renewable resource, as are metals

In the battle between real and artificial trees and who is the most environmentally friendly the winner is.................

THE REAL TREES!!!

So come time to pick your Christmas tree, in a short 5 month period, don't go rushing to your attic for that artificial tree, trying a new family tradition of cutting down your family's Christmas tree. Merry Christmas in July!!!

In the mean time you can keep track of the days 'till Christmas at The National Christmas Tree Association website:
http://www.christmastree.org/home.cfm

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