| Conscientious consumers today concerned about the | | | | Christmas trees and wreaths. They are chipped and |
| environment are taking the time to consider the | | | | made into mulch. However, Christmas wreaths are |
| consequences of their purchases. More and more | | | | usually kept on doors far past the holiday season. |
| people are making an effort to purchase products that | | | | Real Christmas wreaths are a renewable resource. |
| use renewable resources. When it comes to buying a | | | | The trees are not cut down to harvest the branches |
| real, live Christmas wreath or an artificial wreath many | | | | used for Christmas wreaths. Around 12 to 18 inches of |
| people are choosing real. | | | | the branches are cut off or tipped as we say in Maine. |
| Artificial wreaths are made from plastics and other | | | | These branches continue to grow year after year. |
| petroleum based products. You'd have to be living on | | | | Real Christmas wreaths are more of a renewable |
| the moon to not know that petroleum is not a | | | | resource than even real Christmas trees. Even though |
| renewable resource. This alone should motivate people | | | | Christmas tree farms typically plant up to three more |
| to not purchase artificial wreaths. Most artificial | | | | trees for every one they cut down they are still cutting |
| wreaths are made in China whose demand for | | | | one down. Tipping trees is kind of like pruning your |
| petroleum is increasing by 25% a year as more | | | | shrubbery. The branches grow back. |
| Chinese can afford to have cars. Petroleum is used to | | | | Live balsam fir trees used for Maine Christmas |
| make the plastic for artificial wreaths and more | | | | wreaths are the most fragrant of all the fir varieties. |
| petroleum is used to transport them to the United | | | | Approximately 85% of Maine is forests. Forests are |
| States. | | | | very important in the fight against global warming. |
| The biggest reason people buy artificial wreaths is | | | | Trees take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and |
| because they last for many years. They have an | | | | release oxygen. Burning fossil fuels to produce plastics |
| expected life of nine or ten years. Most people don't | | | | adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere contributing to |
| keep them that long and of course they end up at the | | | | global warming. |
| landfill where they will stay for 5000 years or more. | | | | Consumers concerned about the environment should |
| Live Christmas wreaths have many environmental | | | | choose a live Christmas wreath over an artificial |
| benefits. They're recyclable if you take the wires and | | | | wreath as it is recyclable, renewable and less of a |
| rings off. Many communities have recycling programs | | | | contributor to global warming. |
| in place during the holiday season to pick up your | | | | |