Whether you buy it at a farm or in a tree lot, buying a real Christmas tree is good for Wisconsin’s economy and environment. Executive Secretary of the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Association, Cheryl Nicholson says there are plenty of trees this year. “We harvest about 600,000 or more than that each year,” Nicholson told AM 1170 WFDL’s Between the Lines program. “We grow 23,000 acres.” Nicholson says no matter what variety you get the tree will last through the holiday if you keep it properly watered. Wisconsin is fifth in the nation in the number of trees cut and acres in production. Even after Christmas, the real trees can be recycled into mulch to be used on trails or gardens. Some cut trees are used as soil erosion barriers, wildlife habitats or placed in ponds for fish shelters. The Wisconsin economy also benefits from Christmas tree farms. The sale of more than 600,000 Christmas trees generate $14.3 million annually for Wisconsin’s economy.
