The Great Christmas Tree debate
Amy Jordan
Thursday, December 9, 2010
The holiday tradition of putting up a Christmas tree leads people to choose between a real tree or an artificial tree. There are pros and cons to each, and it’s a personal choice, but some of the reasons people may choose artificial over real trees are often false.
The National Christmas Tree Association busted some of the myths associated with real trees:
MYTH: Real Christmas Trees are cut down from forests.
BUSTED: In a few locations around North America, the Forest Service sells permits for people to harvest wild trees. They do this in places to create fire breaks. 98 percent of all Christmas trees are grown on farms.
MYTH: You save a tree by using an artificial tree.
BUSTED: Christmas trees are a horticultural crop. They are planted by farmers to be used specifically as Christmas trees. Close to half a billion trees are currently growing on tree farms in the U.S. alone. At 6 to 7 feet, trees are ready for harvest. It takes six to 10 years to get a mature tree. In the United States, there are more than 21,000 Christmas tree growers. Growing Christmas trees provides a habitat for wildlife.
MYTH: Real Christmas trees aggravate allergies.
BUSTED: Being outdoors for years in the field, a Christmas tree can collect pollens, dust, mold or other allergens. Of course, so can the artificial tree stored in the attic or basement. Whether you use a fresh Christmas tree from a farm, or an artificial tree stored in a box, if you have sensitive allergies to dust, molds, etc., American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology recommends you spray the tree down in the yard with a hose before putting it up. Let it dry completely before bringing indoors.
MYTH: Real Trees cost too much.
BUSTED: Like anything else, you can find a wide range of prices, and spend what you want to spend. It all depends on what you’re looking for in a tree. Prices vary by many variables including location of retail lot, where the tree was harvested, species, size, grade and who’s selling it. The bottom line is, you can spend $15 to more than $200 on a tree in many places.
MYTH: Real Christmas trees have pesticides and chemicals on them.
BUSTED: Christmas tree farmers do not use chemicals in a “harmful” manner. Chemicals are used only when needed and only according to the specified instructions and regulations of the EPA, the USDA and the FDA.
MYTH: Real Christmas trees end up in landfills.
BUSTED: Christmas Tree recycling programs are available nationwide, and many are quite creative. A farm-grown Christmas tree is 100 percent biodegradable, so it can be used for all kinds of things in nature, from mulch to erosion control. Ninety-three percent of real Christmas tree consumers recycle their tree in community recycling programs, their garden or backyard.
According to the Kansas Christmas Tree Growers Association, there are 30 Christmas tree farms in Kansas. The Flint Hills Optimist Club operates a local Christmas tree lot and the City of Emporia offers a Christmas tree recycling program to use the trees for mulch or wildlife habitat.
For information on how to care for your fresh Christmas tree, contact Lyon County’s K-State Research and Extension at 341-3220.
F Amy Jordan is a horticulturist with K-State Research and Extension in Lyon County.
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
3rd Option = No Tree
This option is free, kills no trees, produces no pollution, and saves you time and stress! We just pile all our gifts in the corner. No tree allows for extra room and money for more gifts!
Silly religious folks and your silly, wasteful traditions... You people make me laugh and, for that, I thank you. Have a Merry Xmas, everyone!
'enry
December 9, 2010 at 3:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Right Back at ya Henry .
December 9, 2010 at 3:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
marko (anonymous) says...
Humbug
December 9, 2010 at 3:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
ditto marko. MERRY CHRISTMAS charlie brown and to all of the bloggers! : )
December 9, 2010 at 4:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Tell me, Henry, if you have a pile of gifts in the corner, you must do this year after year. Is this not a tradition? What do you call this little gifting procedure of yours? The gift pile? What songs do you sing? Oh come all ye pilers, anxious and excited...oh come ye, oh come ye to He-hen-ry's House.
Ohhhhh, wait a minute. Wait just a minute! You believe in Santa Claus, don't you? Silly me.
Now Henry, the tradition of the tree began long before the Christians used them. Are you Egyptian? Do you like dates?
King Tut never saw a Christmas tree, but he would have understood the tradition which traces back long before the first Christmas, says David Robson, Extension Educator, Horticulture with the Springfield Extension Center.
The Egyptians were part of a long line of cultures that treasured and worshipped evergreens. When the winter solstice arrived, they brought green date palm leaves into their homes to symbolize life's triumph over death.
The Romans celebrated the winter solstice with a fest called Saturnalia in honor of Saturnus, the god of agriculture. They decorated their houses with greens and lights and exchanged gifts. They gave coins for prosperity, pastries for happiness, and lamps to light one's journey through life.
Centuries ago in Great Britain, woods priests called Druids used evergreens during mysterious winter solstice rituals. The Druids used holly and mistletoe as symbols of eternal life, and placed evergreen branches over doors to keep away evil spirits.
Late in the Middle Ages, Germans and Scandinavians placed evergreen trees inside their homes or just outside their doors to show their hope in the forthcoming spring. Our modern Christmas tree evolved from these early traditions.
Out of all, I like the Roman tradition best, especially the pastries and the gifts of light. I have seen evergreen boughs over doors at several homes around Emporia. I kinda like that too. Very Feng Shui. Just be sure to remove it after the season while it is still green. It is bad luck to have dead plants at your entrance.
Mele Kalikimaka, Henry. And to all.
December 9, 2010 at 4:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
create,
We still call it "christmas", but there are no religious or superstitious connotations behind our "tradition". As with all holidays, it's merely an excuse to spend time with family and be kind to others. I know one shouldn't need an excuse to do this, but it works out better if everyone can get a day off of work to gather together. This would be more difficult if there were no recognized holidays because it would be harder to get everyone together at once. If we all make a "tradition" of it, then we can all plan accordingly.
The point is, you can still gather with family and be kind to others without stressing over the purchase of a tree or wasting time and money decorating your house. I guess the part that bothers me is that people insist on the conformity of it all. To celebrate Xmas, you HAVE to do it a certain way. As if a tree is a requirement or something. It's like organized religion; if you aren't "worshiping" or "celebrating" the way others think you should, then you are considered a social outcast. We need to lose that attitude and let people worship or celebrate how they see fit without pressuring them into following specific, nonsensical requirements.
Though I may not share your "faith", I do hope you have a happy holiday. Just keep in mind that my Xmas is no less important than your Christmas. Just know that I'm saving time and money by not having a tree, so that makes me better than you. : P (please note the smiley face)
'enry
December 9, 2010 at 4:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
looks at create.... Mele Kalikimaka
henry, "sighs"
oh well...
December 9, 2010 at 4:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wasp (anonymous) says...
LOL!!! I wonder how many people had a heart attack or hurt themselves laughing at Henry's statement that he uses holidays as an excuse to be nice to others. Reading his comments on here I did not think that was possible!
December 9, 2010 at 6:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
Wasp,
So...being nice to people is funny? I don't get it. What do you use holidays for? To appease an imaginary man in the sky or something?
'enry
December 9, 2010 at 6:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
I like the look of joy in the eyes and on the faces of the children as they gaze upon the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree that they helped to decorate.
December 9, 2010 at 6:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Henry, Thanks for the courtesy of an interesting comeback.
Like you, I am not a conformist. Unless the tradition is something I enjoy or truly believe in, I don't participate. For example, I don't put up lights on my house like all my neighbors do. Happily they don't look askance at me for this. Lucky them. I firmly believe that in all manner of design, less is more.
I have one neighbor whose display is so bright that it shines in my bedroom at night and keeps me awake. I haven't said anything...yet.
I agree with what you say here except for one word. "We need to lose that attitude and let people worship or celebrate how they see fit without pressuring them into following specific, nonsensical requirements."
That word is nonsensical. If we let people worship or celebrate how they see fit, then calling whatever they do "nonsensical" actually restricts their enjoyment.
I hope you will let the people who believe in Christmas trees, or Christ, or Menorrahs, or palm trees with yarn bows, do their own thing without insult. Kind of like "being kind to others without stressing" you know what I mean?
In Hawaii, Santa arrives on a surfboard. So much for tradition. We never had chimneys, but we still got presents and the lack of a chimney never bothered us at all.
Mele Kalikimaka, Henry. And to all.
December 9, 2010 at 7:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
krazykansan (anonymous) says...
A 'enry, do you celebrate thanksgiving?
Now there is a good one. Celebrating the way the white man has treated the native american Indian. Now that's a shame.
I see on the big sign out front of the city auditorium is advertising the annual Christmas program as a "Holiday celebration" or something like that. City damn sure want's to be politically correct and not piss off the ACLU and call it a Christmas program.
Same thing on a sign out on Delane street where most all the folks in the block have up a good display of CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, but for some reason they put up a sign and called it a seasonal celebration of lights. Whew' good thing they did too, cuz I hear the ACLU is crusin the streets looking for anything that is called Christmas so they can file a lawsuit.
December 9, 2010 at 9:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dnd1994 (anonymous) says...
Good one Henry!
December 9, 2010 at 10:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
create,
I see what you mean by my usage of the word "nonsensical". I should also see that as "to each their own", so I apologize for that. I just think it is a bit silly to stress over the decision of a real vs. fake tree because there are more important things to worry about.
We never had a chimney growing up either, so my folks told me Santa also had a magic key to get in everyone's houses. Made more sense to me than a person fitting down the chimney, anyway.
krazykansan,
Sure, we do Thanksgiving as well. Again, we don't actually celebrate the whole pilgrim story or whatever it's supposed to be about. We just use it as a time to get together and thank each other for what we have. (not what our ancestors did in the past)
I'm in favor of calling it a "holiday celebration" because it's more inclusive. This way, everyone feels welcome to take part. Personally, I don't mind when people wish me a "Merry Christmas" because I just assume they're wishing me a "happy holidays" in their own way. Some people take offense to that sort of thing though, so if it's a city (government body serving people of all beliefs) display/program it should be as inclusive as possible. I'm definitely in favor of separation of church and state. Religious beliefs have no place in politics or government because they are baseless and don't address the needs of the people first.
I think it's funny that Christians complain about people taking offense to "Merry Christmas", but they are just as offended by others saying "happy holidays" to them. Kinda hypocritical, ain't it?
'enry
December 9, 2010 at 11:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
I have not had a christmas tree for 15 years because the true meaning of christmas is not a tree but, the birth of Jesus Christ.
December 10, 2010 at 1:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
'enry and create. Outstanding post from both of you....and I agreed very much with all of them. What is so hard about letting people celebrate the holiday season in their own way.....and leave others to do the same.
Though I realize full well what "Christmas" means.....as does virtually every body else on this planet.....I agree with the decision to use "seasonal celebration" in government applications. But like "enry said.....I am not at all offended when people wish me a Merry Christmas....I wish I could say the same thing about many Christians when I wish them a Happy Holiday.
So let me be like President Obama and try to straddle the fence......Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season to all.
December 10, 2010 at 8:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AverageCitizen2 (anonymous) says...
http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard...
December 10, 2010 at 8:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
o; henry, what do you call Honica? Xica,what do you call ramidan,Xidan?Just wondering why people call CHRISTMAS by other names.
December 10, 2010 at 9:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
sail,
I'm not sure I understand your question... I don't observe any of those, so... Also, I don't think the people who do are actually referring to Christmas when they use those terms.
You see, people have different beliefs and customs, so they're sure to have different holidays. It's a cultural thing, you know? I happened to grow-up around a bunch of Christian whiteys, so I call the holiday season "christmas" even though I don't associate it with this alleged "Christ" character.
That's why "happy holidays" is best because it can include all of those things you mentioned. Why single one particular culture out when wishing someone well? I think Christians are offended by "happy holidays" because it makes them feel less important. When will they learn that it isn't all about them?
'enry
December 10, 2010 at 10:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Thanks, biscuit.
Whatever we call it, if it gets us thinking about doing for others, either by words, deeds, or some token that says “I’m glad you’re a part of my life,” then it can’t be all bad.
In the spirit of the season, please remember those who have fallen on hard times and donate to the needy through your choice of agencies.
And please remember our troops.
Semper Fidelis.
December 10, 2010 at 10:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
O,Henry I support your right to believe , to not believe. My ? was,why do some people refer to the christian holiday as xmas,and the same people dont refer to other religious holidays as xwhatever.Why take Christ out of Christmas?
December 10, 2010 at 10:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
sail,
I take the "Christ" out because, for me, it isn't about Christ. I think most people do it simply because it's easier to write/type. For example, I'm sure you've seen signs at crosswalks that read "PED X-ING". It's done that way because it's easier than putting "Pedestrian Crossing".
Furthermore, according to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xmas):
..."X" comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Χριστός, translated as "Christ"...
The word "Christ" and its compounds, including "Christmas", have been abbreviated in English for at least the past 1,000 years, long before the modern "Xmas" was commonly used. "Christ" was often written as "XP" or "Xt"; there are references in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle as far back as AD 1021. This X and P arose as the uppercase forms of the Greek letters χ and ρ used in ancient abbreviations for Χριστος (Greek for "Christ"), and are still widely seen in many Eastern Orthodox icons depicting Jesus Christ. The labarum, an amalgamation of the two Greek letters rendered as ☧, is a symbol often used to represent Christ in Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox Christian Churches.[15]
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) and the OED Supplement have cited usages of "X-" or "Xp-" for "Christ-" as early as 1485. The terms "Xpian" and "Xtian" have also been used for "Christian". The dictionary further cites usage of "Xtianity" for "Christianity" from 1634. According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage, most of the evidence for these words comes from "educated Englishmen who knew their Greek".[8]
In ancient Christian art, χ and χρ are abbreviations for Christ's name.[16] In many manuscripts of the New Testament and icons, X is an abbreviation for Christos,[citation needed] as is XC (the first and last letters in Greek, using the lunate sigma);[17] compare IC for Jesus in Greek.
In summary, I reckon 'X' isn't used for other such holidays because the Greek translation doesn't start with an 'X'-like character.
'enry
December 10, 2010 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
Sorry 'bout the broken link. Try dis one instead, yo.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xmas
'enry
December 10, 2010 at 11:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
krazykansan (anonymous) says...
Good posts 'enery. What really ticks me off is the ACLU going around the country filing
idiotic lawsuits, and they have the people in power running scared. As Biscuitboy said,
a greeting of Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays is right on.
December 10, 2010 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
krazykansas,
Yeah, lawsuits seem unnecessary. Are they really filing lawsuits or just asking people to not use "Christmas"?
I do see the ACLU's point, especially when it comes to schools. Schools are often State (government) agencies, so that should fall into the all-inclusive category. Also, kids are pretty impressionable, so they shouldn't be forced into celebrating a certain religion. If their folks take 'em out of school so they don't have to participate, the kids will only be ridiculed by their peers for being "different". Kids are cruel like that.
Remember when the conservatives (mostly Christians) threw a fit about President Obama's national address to students? They called it and attempt at "indoctrination" into the liberal party or some such nonsense... What do they think having "Christmas" parties/programs at schools are? Wouldn't that be trying to indoctrinate the kids into a certain religion?
'enry
December 10, 2010 at 11:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I first became aware of "Xmas" as I was finding my way through adolescents in the mid-fifties. I was totally unaware of the "taking Christ out of Christmas" view at that time. As I recall it was viewed by me......and some other Christians as well as a lazy....but new and hip and modern way to spell the word.....and several in my circle started using it. As the negative connotation became better know we fairly quickly dropped the "X".
Even after abandoning the faith of my childhood I still use the traditional spelling as a show of respect to people that do believe. And you know what? It doesn't hurt me one bit to spell it out.
But I agree with "enry on the school issue of Christmas programs 100 percent. It doesn't make any difference whether it be overt or covert, intentional or unintentional, promoting any individual belief structure is indoctrination and has no place in the public schools
December 10, 2010 at 1:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
empgazfan (anonymous) says...
I follow Henry, except for the gifts. I don't buy any, don't give any and don't receive any. Christmas isn't at all about Christ. Christmas is all about unbridled consumption, spending money like a fool and shouting insincere cliches left and right. That's all people do. They go here and shout Merry Christmas. They go there and shout Happy New Year. Why don't they all just shut up?
December 11, 2010 at 6:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
'Tis the season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEvGKU...
Mele Kalikimaka Everyone!
December 11, 2010 at 7:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
I would love to follow all the "proper" Christmas traditions but, finding two turtle doves, three french hens, four calling birds, five golden rings, six geese a-laying, seven swans a-swimming, eight maids a-milking, nine ladies dancing, ten lords a-leaping, eleven pipers piping and twelve drummers drumming this time of year is all but impossible.
December 11, 2010 at 8:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Thanks for that link to Bing Crosby's "Mele Kalikimaka," REWBA. I really enjoyed the slide show. Three of those slides are taken of and from Kaneohe Bay in my home town. Very nice!
December 12, 2010 at 9:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
empgazfan;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwHqhT...
December 12, 2010 at 10:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
empgazoo says, "Why don't they all just shut up?"
Why don't you just shut up? Have you figured out yet that your posts on every subject imaginable are just as irritating as those holiday greetings?
December 12, 2010 at 10:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
hey empgazfan!
kiss my 'possum! just kiss it.
is that enough holiday joy for you?
merry christmas to everyone else!
December 12, 2010 at 2:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
empgazfan
I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a joy-filled holiday season. In fact I want to do that so badly I think I will wish you a Merry Christmas at least once a day (if not more) until the first of next year. In fact I would like to ask other posters to join me in my effort to wish empfgazfan a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Any of you that would like to join me in my yuletide goal of wishing empgzfaz fan a Very Merry Christmas and a joyous holiday season please feel free.
Oh....and Merry Christmas to all......
December 12, 2010 at 3:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
MYTH: Real Christmas trees aggravate allergies.
Wow, pretty bold statement there, guess they have never been around my wife who has allergic reactions around any pine tree, or evergreen display.
December 12, 2010 at 4:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
Empgazfan
MERRY CHRISTMAS and a happy new year!
bb ; )
December 12, 2010 at 4:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
I would wish everyone Feliz Navidad, Prospero Año y Felicidad but that would just be yanking the chain of the "English Only" crowd. :-)
December 12, 2010 at 9:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
empgazfan
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!
December 13, 2010 at 7:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )