SOURCE Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association
Sustainably Grown, Real Christmas Trees From the Pacific Northwest are Now Arriving at Local Lots
PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and for growers in the Pacific Northwest the holiday season is in full swing as they begin to harvest this year’s crop of real, farm-grown Christmas trees.
The Pacific Northwest is home to more than 1,000 individual Christmas tree farmers who supply a majority of the real Christmas trees purchased in California, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona and other Southwestern states. Grown on sustainable farms, real trees are grown just like produce, nuts or other crops, so they do not threaten natural forests, a common misconception.
“Choosing a real Christmas tree is an environmentally conscious choice because of the way they are grown; in fact, many trees are grown in soil that won’t support other crops,” said Mike Bondi, professor and extension faculty for Oregon State University’s College of Forestry. “People can feel good about purchasing real trees because they help reduce carbon emissions by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, which benefits people, plants and the environment.”
Additionally, real Christmas trees are renewable and growers plant one or more to replace every tree they harvest. Real trees can also be recycled and turned into mulch or compost, so no waste goes in to landfills.
As the traditional decorative focal point of holiday celebrations, a real tree offers an affordable way to fill a home with Christmas spirit, including the classic Christmas tree fragrance.
“As Americans continue to be mindful of holiday expenses this year, nostalgia and tradition are evergreen values families are not willing to skimp on,” said Bryan Ostlund, executive director of the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association. “Christmas trees grown in the Pacific Northwest come in many varieties and sizes to match any holiday lifestyle and budget.”
For more information on real Pacific Northwest Christmas trees, including purchase and care tips, visit www.nwtrees.com, or follow @getrealtrees on Twitter.
The Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association, established in 1955, has a membership of more than 1,000 farms throughout Oregon and Washington. The association helps educate the public on aspects of the industry, ensures environmental stewardship among members and promotes the production of high-quality, marketable trees.
