Restoring Wetlands

We received an email recently from someone at the Environmental Defense Fund containing links to a 3 part series of online articles outlining how they use post-harvest, farm-grown Christmas trees to restore and preserve coastal wetlands in Louisiana and Alabama.

They are very good, so we wanted to share them.

Our three most recent posts have discussed the ways that real and artificial Christmas trees could be recycled for use in wetland protection. In the series, titled "Gifts That Keep On Giving", we examined past programs and described some innovative new ways that trees could be put to use in "green" activities after the holidays.

Here are the links to the three articles:

Part I: http://blogs.edf.org/restorationandresilience/2011/01/10/gifts-that-keep-on-giving-how-christmas-trees-could-curb-erosion-in-coastal-louisiana-part-i/
Part II: http://blogs.edf.org/restorationandresilience/2011/01/13/gifts-that-keep-on-giving-how-christmas-trees-could-curb-erosion-in-coastal-louisiana-part-ii/
Part III: http://blogs.edf.org/restorationandresilience/2011/01/19/gifts-that-keep-on-giving-how-christmas-trees-could-curb-erosion-in-coastal-louisiana-part-iii/

Back to the Grind and Back to the Earth

We received this great email just before Christmas vacation:

From: J.N.
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 3:20 PM
To: info@realchristmastrees.org
Subject: Re: Fake Trees...

I read the christmas tree debate on your website and was mortified about what I learned regarding fake trees!!! Since a kid, my family ALWAYS bought fake trees...after the holiday, we'd store it in it's box and re-use it the following year. I'm now an adult and haven't had a tree in over 5 years, so this year I bought another fake pre-lit tree, about 4.5 feet tall. I never read about fake trees until now. It's disturbing to know that they have chemicals in them that can cause cancer...kinda makes me want to go home and throw out the one I have now (and i don't even like the stupid thing...it's not full..i added my own decorations and it's still has too many spaces in between)! Now knowing what I know, I'll get a real tree next year.

I was never really interested in a real tree because I always heard as a kid that you have to water it everyday because if it dries out, it can cause a fire... something like that. I also heard the pines fall off and just make a mess! When I used to put trees up, I'd let it stay until Jan. 3rd. This one is coming down and going in the trash on Dec. 26th!!!! So now you're telling me I have toxins all throughout the air in my house...gee just great..think I'll keep this from my sister (who lives with me, also an adult), until AFTER I take the tree down!!!!! I figure I spent 20 bucks on the stupid thing so I may as well keep it up until after xmas.

Jennifer

Thanks for sharing Jennifer. Yes, there are lots of crazy myths and misperceptions out there about Christmas trees.


Check out the photos from the tree lighting in Riga, Latvia. Here’s a note from the U.S. Embassy in Latvia http://on.fb.me/i1EB85
I am happy to tell you that yesterday we participated in the opening of the Find Yours! Project organized by Riga City Council. There are 25 countries/embassies participating in the project, and each country has its own Christmas tree. However, American Christmas tree is special due to our participation in the Christmas Tree Exchange project, as you know! Our PAO Amy Storrow was representing the U.S. Embassy during yesterday ceremony and giving the American Christmas tree as a gift to the city of Riga. Here is the link where you can view the pictures we took :
Tatjana Savranska
U.S. Embassy
Public Affairs Section

What a great celebration!

So in the final phase of following our “farm to home to recycle” tree, I recycled my tree this past week. Read earlier blog entries to learn about the The Rocks Tree Farm in New Hampshire where the tree was planted, raised and harvested. After it brought me enjoyment in my home this past holiday season, I took about an hour total out of my schedule to take the tree to be recycled. Here’s a series of photos showing this process.


Here's the tree after being taken outside my house. You'll notice a few things I'd recommend as tips. First, it's a good idea to let the water in the stand be absorbed the last few days or removed...the less still in there the better. Second, I use an old blanket to make carrying and transporting the tree easier and less messy.


I just wrap up the tree like a piece of sausage, then removed the stand.


Into my car it goes.


And I drive down to one of the parks where trees can be dropped off for the mulcher. You can see trees and piles of free mulch in the background. The program where I live is run by the St. Louis City Parks & Rec Department.


And back to the Earth it goes. The farm will plant another one this Spring, this tree will decompose and break down into it's component compounds and return nutrients back to the Earth.

The cycle is complete.

fake trees catch on fire!!

we show these every year ...now the fire safety officials are finally weighing in too

http://bit.ly/dO9fMW

You better watch out...

Final Numbers from the 2010 Trees for Troops program sponsored by the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation and FedEx:

11,627 - fresh trees donated by American farms

5,397 - fresh trees donated by other Americans

200 - fresh trees dontated by the Walter Reed Hometown Hero's program

_____

17,224 - total trees delivered for free to U.S. military families

16, 651 - total trees delivered in 2010

0 (zero) - total number of fake, plastic trees in the program

59 - total bases in the U.S. receiving trees

7 - overseas bases receiving trees

It's a great program folks. You should check it out and try to support it. http://www.treesfortroops.org/

Here's a letter we received last week. I have no idea who it's from, it wasn't signed. I certainly agree with the statement that more people should get a real tree instead of a fake one.

Here's another great letter and photo. I'll let this one speak for itself.




Thanks for the letter and photo Ryan!

Finally, I saw this today in another trade magazine. Apparently, one of the largest manufacturers of building venting products has stopped using PVC plastic in all of it's products because of the environmental and health hazards of that material. So if they don't even use PVC for vents in your walls, why would want to put a tree made of PVC in your living room???

odds and ends

Check out the great segment on Christmas tree farming from the History Channel’s special on Christmas. Click HERE.

Last week, THIS ARTICLE caught our attention. Apparently an open tractor trailer had an accident and the trees spilled out onto the road. First, I certainly hope the driver is OK. Second, I feel bad for anyone stuck in that traffic. But it also made me think – this was December 10. Wonder what those people who think trees are cut and hauled in August were thinking? Actually most lots will be getting their last shipments of trees this week.

There was going to be a segment about marketing Christmas trees on The Daily Show today but it got cut at the last minute. Bummer.

OK, so I really do my best to not let jerk-ity jerks rile me up with emails, but sometimes I lash out. Check out this one from earlier in the week and let me know if it was too mean of a reply.

From: michael
Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2010 12:21 PM
To: info@realchristmastrees.org
Subject: Informative site!

It really is an informative site you have here. Great facts, some of them which prove that Christmas trees, whether fake or real, should not be bought or sold at all. The fact that you try to make it sound "eco" to grow them is absurd. These trees are grown on land that formerly had virgin forests, where a tree that was 20 times + the size of a living room christmas tree, and was infinitely more useful/less detrimental to the planet. Yes, a real tree is better than a plastic tree shipped from China, but no christmas tree is better than real one that takes up land, shipping and growing costs, and then is thrown on the side of the road to hit the land fill just one month later.
Personally, I'd rather see a virgin forest and a bunch of Scrooges with no holiday decor. But, then, where would the industry be, and the Christmas cheer?

Perhaps, in our lifetime, we may find a replacement for the ridiculously wasteful consumer holiday, along with the christmas tree. And, in that same lifetime, we'll see our forests diminish to specks of national park reserves due to the growing number of mindless people who think that land should profit people, in some way or another. If a farmer feels the need to grow something, what happened to good ole fashioned food? I can live without a christmas tree, but not without christmas dinner. Show me some facts about the millions of starving people compared to the 30 million christmas trees sold each year in the states. Now that's some interesting facts...

Wow, I feel sad for you. There are almost 400 million trees growing on Christmas tree farms in the U.S….they would not exist if they hadn’t been planted by the farmers. It has nothing to do with “virgin forest” …you’ve seen too many Disney movies.

If you don’t want to decorate your home with a Christmas tree, that’s fine. About 20% of households in the U.S. don’t put up any Christmas tree each year, so you’re not the only one. But don’t spread your personal derision on others who choose to do so.

Merry Christmas!

For some reason, that email just bugged me. Anyway, here are some more common questions.

From: Nalini
Sent: Friday, December 10, 2010 11:37 PM
To: info@realchristmastrees.org
Subject: Blog Talk Ideas

Thank you for having a blog about christmas trees! we cut our tree from a great farm in our area and when we got it home we put it right into the stand. One thing is that my husband did not fill the stand with water and I just assumed he had done so; therefore our tree sat without water for over 8 hours. After we both realized the tree had no water we filled it up right away! It seems now to be drying out on the ends of the needles and does not seem to be drinking any water. I put my hand down in the stand to feel the stump and it was sticky with sap...could this be why the tree is not drinking water? what should we do? we have not decorated the tree yet, but were planning on doing it tomorrow. I will wait for your reply until we decorate! thank you for your time and help!

Well, generally it's best to get the cut surface of the tree's trunk into water within a 3 - 6 hour time. The reason is that air molecules get into the plant tissue and inhibit the plant's ability to absorb water and move it up the stem to the foliage. If you think it was much longer than that before you put water in the stand (unless it was outside in a cold/damp environment) I would take the critical step in making a fresh cut. That way you know for sure. After that, don't worry about the rate of water absorption as that will fluctuate...that's normal.

From: Nalini
Sent: Saturday, December 11, 2010 1:26 PM
To: Rick Dungey
Subject: Re: Blog Talk Ideas

Hi Rick,
It was more than 3 to 6 hours before we got it into water! we will take your advice and make a fresh cut! Thank you for your quick reply and for helping us save our tree!!! I enjoyed reading your blog and you have been so helpful!!!

aww, shucks....

From: will
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2010 1:33 PM
To: info@realchristmastrees.org
Subject: Christmas Tree Question

About two weeks ago we purchased a Fraser Fur, I stored it in my unheated garage, and last week we put it up and decorated it. Prior to decorating it I cut about 1-1.5" off the bottom of the trunk. It was drank the water very quickly, near emptying the tree stand so everyday we add more water to top it up. Starting today when I checked it the water level had only dropped approximately 1" and the branches appears as though they are sagging more then before. Do you have any ideas on what I can do to "liven-up" the tree again? I would drill holes but the top of the base isn't that large to allow me clear access with a drill.

That tree is doing exactly what it’s supposed to. It absorbed water, the branches relaxed as it came out of a dormant state. The rate of water absorption will vary from day to day…that’s normal. That tree sounds perfect. Even if there were something wrong, drilling holes in the side won’t do anything. Read the November 30 blog entry for a technical explanation.

odds and ends

Check out the great piece on growing Christmas trees from the History Channel's special on Christmas. Click here.

I saw this article the other day, about a semi truck with an open trailer hauling Christmas trees. There was an accident and the trees fell out on the highway. First, I certainly hope the driver is OK. But also, it made me think -- the date this happened was December 10. What about all those people who claim that real trees are cut and hauled in August? Harvest probably finished this week though as most lots are receiving their final shipments.

There was supposed to be a segment about marketing Christmas trees on The Daily Show tonight but it got cut at the last minute. Bummer.

I don't normally let jerky emails from jerk-ity jerks rile me, but sometimes I let 'em have it. Here's one from earlier this week. Did I come off too mean?

From: michael
Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2010 12:21 PM
To: info@realchristmastrees.org
Subject: Informative site!

It really is an informative site you have here. Great facts, some of them which prove that Christmas trees, whether fake or real, should not be bought or sold at all. The fact that you try to make it sound "eco" to grow them is absurd. These trees are grown on land that formerly had virgin forests, where a tree that was 20 times + the size of a living room christmas tree, and was infinitely more useful/less detrimental to the planet. Yes, a real tree is better than a plastic tree shipped from China, but no christmas tree is better than real one that takes up land, shipping and growing costs, and then is thrown on the side of the road to hit the land fill just one month later.

Personally, I'd rather see a virgin forest and a bunch of Scrooges with no holiday decor. But, then, where would the industry be, and the Christmas cheer? Perhaps, in our lifetime, we may find a replacement for the ridiculously wasteful consumer holiday, along with the christmas tree. And, in that same lifetime, we'll see our forests diminish to specks of national park reserves due to the growing number of mindless people who think that land should profit people, in some way or another. If a farmer feels the need to grow something, what happened to good ole fashioned food? I can live without a christmas tree, but not without christmas dinner. Show me some facts about the millions of starving people compared to the 30 million christmas trees sold each year in the states. Now that's some interesting facts...

common questions

First, a good story...by now, I'm sure you've heard of the Trees for Troops program sponsored by the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation and FedEx. Check out some of the feedback from that:

Thank you and the Christmas Spirit Foundation for all that you do for Fort Drum. This year's event was a hit and so many Families were excited about receiving a Christmas tree. Below is a link to our local media coverage of the event.

it just wasnt feeling very much like the holidays especialy with him so far away but now that we have our tree its beginning to look a little brighter...this is a wonderful gift.

We got a tree! Thank you! We were going to get one this weekend, but I fell and broke my leg Friday night, so all Christmas decoration plans came to a screeching halt, so this was a nice welcome surprise to receive a tree from this program. Thank you again for all that you do for our Soldiers and their Families.

I just wanted to express my thanks for the beautiful Christmas tree we received at Camp Lejeune today. Having a live tree will make this Christmas all the more special, particularly since it’s the first one we get to spend with my husband in three years. Thank you for your generosity and God bless you!

Want to read more? Visit treesfortroops.org . And hey, make a donation while you're there. That's a 501(c)3 charity that could use the help.

OK, on to some common questions:

From: Arnie [mailto:noreply-comment@blogger.com]
Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 6:01 PM
To: info@realchristmastrees.org
Subject: [Tree Talk] New comment on A very common tree question about water uptake.

Nearly everyone I know has noticed the same thing over the years, that real Xmas trees do not have the strong tree smell that they used to have. This is not because we all go to the cheapest lots. I have gone to many a TOP tree lot, and took a whiff of their BEST and most expensive trees, and, still NO SCENT!

This is a real problem, and I can only guess what the problem is. I cannot help but think, that just like with other products, producers are cutting corners as much as they can to grow things, larger, FASTER, and CHEAPER, through bad selective breeding, bad soil, and bad nutrients.

Reluctantly, I've gone to using just an artificial tree. I can only hope that enough people complain enough to generate a market which will bring back Xmas tree-scented Xmas trees.

hmm...not sure what to tell you Arnie. My tree smells fantastic! I'm not a doctor, but I'm pretty sure that sense of smell changes over time, just like hearing and vision. I also know that sense of smell is subjective and different from person to person. So you might smell something and say "that doesn't smell very strong" and someone else might say "whew, that is potent!"

Here are the things I do know: you can NOT selectively breed out scent from a plant. And even if you could, why would a farmer want to? Seriously. And if it were scientifically possible, wouldn't that actually be more expensive, not less?

Airborne molecules that our noses pick up as scent are released by the resin in a plant. More resin is prominent when a tree has slowly come out of a dormant state and absorbed a lot of water. So it's quite common for it to take a few days inside the home before a Christmas tree smells it's strongest.

I'm sorry to hear you bought a fake tree. Have fun with that.

From: Ron
Sent: Friday, December 10, 2010 1:07 PM
To: info@realchristmastrees.org
Subject: Christmas Tree info- help !!

Tuesday night we got our 1st ever perfect tree. We cut 1" fresh cut and put it in water. Wed. I checked the water and was good. Thursday we finished the decorations. (forgot to check water), and Friday morning I noticed that it is completely dry. I don't know how long it was w/o water. I am SO SAD. My son drilled about 6, 1/4 " holes in the side of the base . . Doesn't water go up just under the bark? Will this work? or what can I do, now?

No, unfortunately drilling holes in the side won’t work. For a full scientific explanation, read the blog dated Nov 30 http://realtreetalk.blogspot.com/ . If you think there was more than 6 hours or so where the cut surface was exposed to air, then the only real effective solution is to make a fresh cut. That removes the plant tissue with air molecules in it so the plant can be re-primed to absorb water molecules.

Sorry, I know that’s not the answer you wanted to hear, but it really is the same thing as with cut flower, snipping off the bottom before putting in a vase of water.

From: Robert
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 6:06 PM
To: info@realchristmastrees.org
Subject: Too much aspirin?

Is it possible that I killed my spruce by putting too many aspirins in its water? I've had the tree well watered for over a week and it's begun to lose a lot of needles. I put a hand full of aspirins in the water.

Aspirin is acidic and a lot of it would change the Ph level of the water. Besides, it does not help the tree absorb more water in any way. Remove that water and replace with regular tap water. Plain tap water. Don’t add anything to the tree’s water. Plain tap water. http://www.christmastree.org/faqs.cfm

From: Lorri
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 11:36 AM
To: info@realchristmastrees.org
Subject: Christmas Tree Question

I just purchased a fake Christmas tree that was made in China. I live in California. No where on the box or instructions is there a warning regarding lead. I read on your site that California requires a warning label for trees made in China that contain lead. Can I assume that this tree is safe? We also purchase a live tree. The fake tree is for an extra room in the house.

I don’t know if you can assume that or not Lorri. I think the California Prop 65 law has to do with % content of PVC in products, but I’m not an expert on that. My expertise is with farm-grown Christmas trees.

I'm sorry to hear you got a fake tree. Have fun with that.

From: Kriss
Sent: Monday, December 06, 2010 8:58 PM
To: info@realchristmastrees.org
Subject: Blog Talk Ideas

I cut down a fresh tree in Fraser yesterday, and when I got home, I cut a few feet off the bottom (because it was too tall) but providing a fresh cut. I immediately put it in the stand and filled it with water. It's been 24 hours and the water level hasn't gone down...at all? This doesn't seem right?? Did I hurt the tree cutting too much off the bottom?
Thanks!

No, you didn’t hurt the tree. The rate of water absorption will not be even. Typically it will be within 24 hours that it starts absorbing water, but not always. I’ve had a tree that took 3 days. The plant has to come out of a dormant state and that can take a while. Just make sure to keep the stand full of water because once it starts taking up water it can take up a bunch in a short time.

From: kriss
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 11:58 AM
To: Rick Dungey
Subject: Re: Blog Talk Ideas

Yay, thank you Rick...so much, I am relieved and will start decorating it tonite! :) Thank you for being available for questions, this was really helpful!

Merry Christmas!!!

Sure, glad I could help. Keep the questions coming. Have you heard something really strange about Christmas trees this year? Let us know and send us a link.