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Christmas Tree Facts

from your friends at Santa's Holiday Forest

There are approximately 35 million Real Christmas Trees sold in North America every year.
North American Real Christmas Trees are grown in all 50 states and Canada. Most artificial trees are manufactured in Korea, Taiwan, or Hong Kong.
There are about 40 acres in production for growing Real Christmas Trees in Santa's Holiday Forest. Each acre provides the daily oxygen requirements for 18 people.
Real Christmas Trees are a renewable, recyclable resource. Artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics and possible metal toxins such as lead, cadmium, and organo-tins.
Consumers can locate the nearest Real Christmas Tree recycling program by logging onto www.realchristmastrees.org or calling 1-800-CLEANUP (1-800-253-2687).
For every Real Christmas Tree harvested, 2 to 3 seedlings are planted in its place the following spring.
There are about 15,000 Real Christmas Tree growers in North America, and over 100,000 people employed full or part-time in the industry.
It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of average retail sale height (6 feet), but the average growing time is 7 years.

Select the freshest-looking Real Christmas Tree available. Make a fresh cut across the tree's base and immediately place in water. Keep the tree's water container full at all times, checking the water level daily.
Be extra careful with electricity, all open flames and other heat sources during the holidays.
Check all christmas tree lights, other electric decorations, and electrical appliances for wear (frayed cords, for example). Do not use lights, decorations, or appliances with worn electrical cords.
Unplug tree lights and other decorations when out of the room or sleeping.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), only a little more than approximately one-tenth of one percent (.012%) of residential fires involve a Real Christmas Tree.
According to NFPA data, of all the Real Christmas Trees enjoyed during the holiday season, fewer than one-one-thousandth of one percent (0.001%) are involved in a residential fire.
Real Christmas Trees are not as likely to be the first item ignited in residential fires as many other common household items:

Newspapers and magazines - 13 times more likely
Boxes or bags - 10 times more likely
Curtains or drapes - 9 times more likely
Linens - 8 times more likely
Cleaning supplies - 3 times more likely
Clothing on a person - 2 times more likely
At NO time can a Real Christmas Tree start a fire. Ignition sources are always external.

Place the Real Christmas Tree in the garden for use as a winter bird feeder and shelter. Use orange slices and bird food to attract the birds.
Real Christmas Trees are biodegradable. The branches can be removed and used as mulch in the garden. The trunk can be chopped for mulch.
Large quantities of trees make effective sand and soil erosion barriers, especially at beaches.
Sunk into fish ponds, trees make excellent refuge and feeding areas.