There are many reasons to buy local Christmas trees versus buying artificial trees made in a factory. Buying local trees preserves local farmers and local farmland. Christmas trees support a complex eco system that helps our environment. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen.
Live Christmas trees are 100% biodegradable and when recycled decomposing trees add nutrients back to the soil.
According to recent statistical data over 85% of all artificial trees are made in China. Artificial trees are made in a factory and the sale of them competes with the sale of local Christmas trees. Most artificial trees are made of plastics and metals and are not biodegradable. These fake trees frequently end up in landfills and are an a burden to our environment.
Most Christmas tree farmers in New Jersey are small farmers that replant each tree with a new tree to sustain their plantings. These plantations beautify our local environment. Most farms are open to the public each weekend after Thanksgiving, and invite the public into choose and cut trees.
The New Jersey Christmas Tree Growers Association has a web site of registered New Jersey Choose and Cut growers at www.njchristmastrees.citymax.com/page/page/3965401.htm
We also maintain a list of Gloucester County growers on our home page at http://gloucester.njaes.rutgers.edu.
Treat yourself to a visit to one of these local farms and buy varieties like Douglas fir, Norway spruce, Frasier fir, Blue spruce, White pine, Serbian fir and Concolor fir, and enjoy the beauty, and fragrance of a local tree.
Jerry Frecon
Agricultural Agent
