The truth is, when you support the Christmas tree industry by purchasing live Christmas trees for the holidays, you are contributing to a cycle of life that significantly improves our environment.

Real Christmas trees are grown on farms just like any other crop, and these farms employ more than 100,000 Americans. To ensure a constant supply, Christmas tree growers plant one to three new seedlings for every tree they harvest. So cutting a tree does not reduce the number of trees working to purify the air. In fact, if more trees are cut and sold, the industry will plant even more trees for tomorrow.

And here’s what happens: Every tree absorbs carbon dioxide and other gases, and emits fresh oxygen. It’s nature’s filtration system. What’s more, the Christmas tree farm helps to stabilize the soil, protecting the water supplies and providing refuge for wildlife. These beautiful, scenic belts of trees are often grown on soil that doesn’t support other crops, making it another win-win for the environment.