The facts about Christmas Trees
Real Christmas Trees...
- There are approximately 25-30 million "real" Christmas trees sold in the US each year.
- There are close to 350 million real Christmas trees currently growing on Christmas tree farms in the U.s. alone, all planted by farmers.
- North American real Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states and Canada. Eighty percent (80%) of artificial trees worldwide are manufactured in China, according to the U.S. Commerce Department.
- Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource: Artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics and possible metal toxins such as lead.
- There are more than 4,000 local Christmas tree recycling programs throughout the United States.
- For every real Christmas tree harvested, 1 to 3 seedlings are planted the following spring.
- There are about 350,000 acres in production for growing Christmas trees in the U.S.; much of it preserving green space.
- There are dose to 15,000 farms growing Christmas trees in the U.s., and over 100,000 people are employed full or part-time in the industry.
- It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of typical height (6 - 7 feet) or as little as 4 years, but the average growing time is 7 years.
- The top Christmas tree producing states are Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Washington.
- The most common Christmas tree species are: balsam fir, Douglas-fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine and white pine.
