Image: Pixabay.com
By Teri O.
Personally, I never liked the idea of chopping down a living Christmas tree. But now I see that when they are grown and harvested as a type of crop, it can be a good option that does not harm natural forests. For every Christmas tree harvested, another one is planted in its place to ensure a steady supply year after year.
A fake Christmas tree might seem eco-friendly at first since they are re-usable for many years, but they still don’t last forever and are disposed of in landfills to become non-biodegradable waste. Most artificial trees are made in China from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and metal, in factories that create pollution. Real Christmas trees are recyclable and biodegradable. They are grown on American family farms, making an important contribution to the local economy.
Sustainable Christmas tree farms are committed to agricultural practices that benefit both the environment and the community. These farms focus on using renewable resources while ensuring responsible stewardship and teaching the next generation how to balance tradition with sustainability.
Sustainable Practices in Tree Farms
- Improved Air Quality: Christmas trees release fresh oxygen into the air and reduce air pollution.
- Carbon Sequestration: Christmas tree farms act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases, which helps mitigate climate change.
- Renewable Resource: Real trees are biodegradable and can be recycled into mulch, unlike plastic artificial trees that release toxins.
- Organic Methods: Some Christmas tree farms avoid pesticides and herbicides, using natural integrated management to control pests and weeds while encouraging healthy tree growth.
- Soil and Water Conservation: Christmas trees can be grown in poor soil that won’t support other crops. They stabilize the soil, reduce erosion, and improve water quality.
- Healthy Ecosystems: Christmas tree farms provide shelter and habitats for wildlife. Protecting wildlife is essential for maintaining biodiversity.
- Community Impact: Farms support local economies and provide seasonal jobs, while also offering eco-friendly holiday traditions.
Christmas Tree STEM
STEM programs can use Christmas tree farming as a case study in sustainability, showing students how science and engineering solve real-world problems.
STEM education and sustainable Christmas tree farming intersect in several ways—students can learn about ecology, engineering, and sustainability through hands-on projects, while farms themselves use science-based agricultural practices to protect soil, water, and biodiversity.
- Science: Students explore how trees sequester carbon, improve soil health, and support ecosystems. This connects biology and environmental science directly to holiday traditions.
- Technology: Farms often use drones or helicopters for harvesting, which can be studied in STEM classes as examples of applied technology.
- Engineering: Students can design and build model Christmas tree farms using sustainable principles. This teaches structural engineering, creativity, and environmental awareness.
- Math: Calculating growth rates, harvest cycles, and comparing costs of organic vs. conventional farming helps students apply math in real-world contexts.
In summary, sustainable Christmas tree farms provide a living example of STEM in action—combining science, technology, engineering, and math with environmental stewardship. Choosing trees from sustainable farms plays a significant role in reducing greenhouse gases, supporting biodiversity, and benefiting the environment.
The Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association represents over 1,000 farms throughout Oregon and Washington. Their farmers go the extra mile to ensure natural resources are preserved for future generations. Check out their website to learn more about the environmental benefits of real Christmas trees.
