Celebrating the winter with evergreen trees dates back to before the birth of Christ. Soon evergreens became a symbol of the Christmas holiday. Originally trees were harvested from forests. But since 1850 when trees were first sold commercially, a whole new industry was developed to meet the growing demand. Today, to protect our environment and grow the best, healthiest trees possible, more than one million acres of land are devoted to growing trees for just this purpose.

This year alone, over 73 million new trees were planted on an average of 2,000 trees per acre. It will take about 7-10 years for the trees to mature, but in the meantime, another crop is harvested and 2-3 seedlings will replace them. About 98% of the live Christmas trees in our homes this year will have been raised on a tree farm.

As they battle the elements to survive (heavy rain, hail, wind) these trees provide the perfect habitat for wildlife. Not only does an acre of trees provide the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people, they remove dust and pollen from the air. Besides being an environmentally friendly way to go, these tree farms provide employment to well over 100,000 people each year.

So when your tree is lit and you’re adding the finishing touches, stand back and think about the long journey it’s been on, the perfect tree, to finally reach your home. Imagine all the elements it’s battled, the wildlife that “just passed through” and the care that human hands have given it. It has a history, and now it is a new memory for you and your family to share.