While more than 80% of American households now opt for plastic Christmas trees that are largely made in Communist China, Alaskans are being encouraged to shoulder an axe, tromp onto state lands and chop down a real one.
“Many Alaska families enjoy cutting their own Christmas tree each year,” a recent notice from the State Forestry Division observed, adding that the state “supports this tradition by allowing residents to harvest one tree for personal use on unrestricted State of Alaska lands.”
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, families who display real trees are a considerable minority these days, with 83% of households opting for a plastic replica that was most likely manufactured in China – a country that actively persecutes those who celebrate the nativity of Jesus Christ, while benefiting from the sale of its fake trees to Americans.
In fact, 85% of fake Christmas trees are imported from China, according to the U.S. Commerce Department, most being made of metals and PVC plastic.
While some fake tree aficionados may believe the artificial route is still better for the environment, The Nature Conservancy begs to differ.
“First off, real trees don’t require the intensive carbon emissions that it takes to produce and ship artificial trees,” the group’s website states. “And what’s more, once all the festivities are done, [real] trees can be recycled and given a second life. Most states have organizations that use these donated Christmas trees for conservation and habitat projects in their local communities. Meanwhile, artificial trees are usually not recyclable and often end up filling our landfills.”
The Nature Conservancy notes that petroleum-based artificial trees have an average lifespan of six to nine years before being thrown away “where it will remain in a landfill indefinitely.”
While most real trees (25-30 million) are purchased from a tree farm, Alaskans have a unique opportunity to cut one from a natural forest.
Alaska allows residents to take one tree – under 15 feet – per household. Harvesters are instructed to cut stumps low and harvest whole trees (not just the tops).
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Cutting is not allowed in state parks, Department of Transportation rights-of-way, Alaska Native lands, private property, or other restricted areas.
“Finding a Christmas tree on State land is a great way for families to enjoy time outdoors,” said Stephen Nickel, Mat-Su and Southwest Area Forester. “A little preparation helps make the trip safe and enjoyable.”
Maps and area guides for the Fairbanks–Delta region, the Kenai Peninsula, and the Mat-Su Valley are available on the DNR Christmas Tree Cutting page, which also includes tips for how to harvest and care for the tree to maximize its longevity.
8 Comments
Hmmm… The last real tree was in 1988. To find a nice tree requires going further out on snowmachine to find one. Then it’s dragging it back, squaring off the base, putting a stand on it. Usually the tree was up for 30+ days. It dries out, the needles fall off of it, then there is disposing of it after the holidays. I’m good with a fake tree. I miss the wonderful smell of a tree, but setup and take-down is much easier.
I have never ever had a fake Christmas tree. We have cut local trees from our property or purchased from one of the nurseries, Jacobsons the past few years, who know to keep the trees from freezing once transported. My parents grew Christmas trees for 40 years (Oregon) so it just seems wrong to not support the growers or go cut our own! I love the smell of fir or pine. Our local trees though are the freshest and if you keep them in water they will stay fresh for weeks!
I worked tree lots in college and beyond and learned much about keeping trees fresh. First, for Alaska, if you buy a tree, buy from an indoor facility, not an outdoor tree lot. Have the tree re-baled and wrapped when you purchase, then it is not a good idea to transport in open bed pickup unless a very short distance. I have crammed a tree into a Subaru Outback, but fits well in my Tahoe. A truck with canopy fine too but roll in a packing blanket, if open bed truck, roll well in packing blanket and make it quick. You don’t want it to freeze.
An Alaskan tree has naturally gone dormant so fine to leave in the open until moving to house. Fine to transport outside of vehicle if cut locally. All live trees – when setting up, cut the tree base a 1/2’ or so right before getting into the stand that holds plenty of water. Add a tree fresh product to the water every time you add more water and do not let the water run out. The base needs to stay submerged. This will keep it fresh longer. The tree fresh products are various brands and carried by most of the nurseries or big box stores who sell Christmas trees. Also, do not purchase a tree from an outdoor lot. They have re-frozen and most likely to loose a lot of needles right away as well as dry out faster. If buying a tree buy one from a nursery who knows what they are doing. Bells in Anchorage, Jacobsons in the valley. I am sure there are others.
Ok, maybe more than you want to know but our trees stay pretty fresh all the way to New Years!
Ok, why are not paragraph breaks not allowed?
I have wondered that myself, for years! It would make our lengthier comments much easier to read if the paragraph breaks we employ made it through the comment publisher thingy.
A foray into the DEAD TREE Xanadu of the Kenai Peninsula would make for a pretty lousy living room decoration. We use an artificial tree, but NOT because it helps to “Save the planet.” It is not a fire hazard, nor do they easily drop their needles. For those who go cut their own, they have my respect. But many of them are scrawny, Sad Sack specimens.
As newcomers to Alaska we figured there would be local lots that sold cut trees (not live ones that needed to be replanted). But when that was not to be found, and people told us the selection of state land approved trees in our area were dismal, we bought our very first ever artificial Christmas tree.
Don’t forget the medicinal benefit of having a real spruce tree in your house over the holydays: spruce needles are super high in vitamin C. If you catch a cold after sugar-bombing your way through Christmas, you can make spruce needle tea for a natural boost of vitamin C. Think spruce needle instead of lemon juice in your holyday hot toddy!
Fake trees for fake holiday.
The power of the Christ consciousness should be lived on a day to day basis, not sequestered to a Macy’s parade shopping spree.
Look at the devils that come out of people during Black Friday. If Jesus IS real, would he not flip the tables of money exchange in the temples of our hearts and tell us that the Kingdom is within?
Fake trees are simply symbolic of how far Man has fallen from the Grace of their Creator and instead have opted for the fleeting feel goods of corporate sanctioned gift giving.
Change the behavior first and the material will follow. Not the other way around.
That’s just my opinion.