Live Christmas Trees Provide Environmental, Economic Benefits

Live vs. Artificial. Before the 1950s, the market for artificial Christmas trees was zero. Today the prickly “posers,” with their early marketing strategies and more life-like appearance, have taken a significant cut out of the “traditional” market. But which version is best? Gary Chastagner, researcher at Washington State University Extension in Puyallup, lends his support to the live tree industry for environmental and economic reasons. Live trees are a renewable resource that takes carbon dioxide out of the air and provides habitat for animals. The industry also provides viable agriculture in western Washington and Oregon and preserves open space and farmland, he said. Not to mention the family experience involved in selecting and cutting down the tree.

Chastagner can be contacted at 253.445.4528 or e-mail to chastag@wsu.edu.