12/23/05 Oh Christmas tree

Some people see it as fun for the family, picking the Christmas tree, be it in the forest or from a lot. Others see is as more than just fun or tradition. WALTERSHEID "It's the American thing to do because you are providing money and jobs for our American economy." That's Christmas tree grower Beth Waltersheid who sees fake trees as unpatriotic. WALTERSHEID "You're buying one that's been shipped over here from China. It's plastic. You can't recycle it; it just fills up the landfill." That American grown Christmas tree also helps the environment, helps cleans the air, prevent erosion and means jobs for lots of people. WALTERSHEID "The farmer has to hire a lot of people to help. He has to buy equipment so you're helping those people who are selling equipment to farmers." And don't forget the real tree, the one with the root ball and all. Many are bought with good intentions; decorate it, then take it outside after Christmas and plant it in the yard. Ohio State University's Randy Heilgman says unfortunately that sometimes turns into a disaster. HEILGMAN "There really is no reason why this should not be a good experience. The absolute maximum that we want the tree in the house is five or six days. Any longer and it begins to come out of dormancy and then when we take it outside the foliage gets damaged by the cold weather. At the worst the tree actually dies." Merry Christmas everyone from all of us at the Northwest Ag Information Network. Bill Scott Today's Idaho Ag News