O Tannenbaum: The Most Festive Specialty Crop
Did you know that Christmas trees are considered a specialty crop? It’s true! Existing at the intersection of agriculture, horticulture, and forestry practices, growing Christmas trees is a $2.5 billion industry.
Despite this, use of real Christmas trees has steadily declined since the 1990s. The American Christmas Tree Association estimates that 80% of consumers who plan to display a Christmas tree this year will put up an artificial one. That’s up from 77% in 2023!
Consumers state that basic maintenance, consistent appearance, and ease of setup are some of the primary reasons for purchasing an artificial tree. But the advantages of decorating with a real tree are numerous, from environmental benefits to support for small farmers. We hope you’ll consider the age-old tradition of decorating a real tree this year!
Christmas Tree Sustainability
If you’ve ever feared that cutting down a tree is bad for the environment, rest assured! The benefits of growing Christmas trees far outweigh the loss of felling them. To start, for every Christmas tree that’s harvested, three more are planted in the spring. Research also shows that Christmas tree farms can boost biodiversity, especially in areas where it is challenged.
Trees from farms also produce far less greenhouse gas. Of the 10 million artificial trees that will be purchased this year, nearly 90% will ship from China. These trees are not only made from nonbiodegradable materials—just getting them to your door is resource-intensive and generates considerable emissions. But the environmental impacts of shipping pale in comparison to those of manufacturing.
Artificial trees are often made of steel and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a fossil-fuel-based plastic. The environmental impact of manufacturing them is significant, resulting in a carbon footprint up to 10 times greater than that of real trees. PVC has also been linked to a number of health problems, including an increased risk of cancer, hormonal disruption, and neurological damage.
Conversely, real trees are a renewable and recyclable resource. The National Christmas Tree Association states that over 4,000 local recycling programs exist throughout the United States. These programs collect discarded Christmas trees and use them for various purposes. Some are processed into mulch, while others become erosion barriers to stabilize beaches and shorelines.
Not sure of the tree recycling opportunities in your neighborhood? Click here to search by zip code!
Supporting Specialty-Crop Farmers
About 15,000 Christmas tree farms operate across the country in all 50 states and employ over 100,000 people. More than 25 million trees are harvested and sold each year.
“Like any other agriculture, are you going to support local farmers or are you going to support a large manufacturer someplace else?”
—Bert Cregg, Horticulture and Forestry Professor at Michigan State University
Choosing a farm-fresh tree directly supports local farmers. It also strengthens local economies and preserves community-supported agricultural traditions. Because many local farms also use sustainable farming practices, supporting these enterprises also helps the surrounding environment.
One of the clearest benefits of supporting local tree farmers is community building. Christmas tree farms often host events that bring people together, like holiday markets, photo opportunities with Santa Claus, and craft sales. They offer an opportunity to build lasting traditions and family memories.
How Lovely Are Your Branches!
Displaying a Christmas tree dates back to the 16th century, but the significance of evergreen plants can be traced to ancient civilizations. Christmas trees gained popularity among Americans in the late 1800s and soon became the beloved tradition we know today.
As an organization that helps farmers transition to growing specialty crops, we know how important it is to support small farmers at every opportunity. This holiday season, we hope you’ll consider continuing to support local farms whenever possible.