by Paul Schilling

Created on: June 17, 2008

Unequivocally, and without question, sure! There is a distinction to be made in this scenario: Christmas tree farms. As most of us know there exist Christmas tree farms where trees are grown for this very situation. The Christmas tree farm business has been around for quite some time now; it serves as a multi-medium for many.

Christmas tree farms do not alter the environment in the least. The trees that are grown are either gleefully cut down by families celebrating the holiday, or ordered to specification. There really isn't any other way to describe the youthful faces as brothers join sisters, husbands, and wives as a family espouse "We cut down our own tree!"

At the end of the tree growing and harvesting season, new saplings are then planted and the cycle of the biosphere starts anew. However, not only for the farmer and employees but also for just about every facet of the local economy. If we were to trace this "Flight of the Christmas Tree" it would go something along these lines.

Family owns Christmas tree farm, and anyone who has worked on or around one of these farms knows the work involved is far greater than any one person is capable of; therefore, our farmer becomes an employernormally of local high school students who are looking for that years Prom money. Hence, our tree has established itself as a means of income for the farmer and his family, everything the children wear, most likely the car and truck they drive, the local schools they attend, and every other functioning means of creating a healthy economy.

Yes, even the local county landfill gets its share of the business inasmuch as most of us go there to use the chippers and make wood chips, mulch, or compost. I believe that it is equally as important to take the kids along to the landfill so they can see the entire life-cycle of how our environment works.

First the "uhs and ahs" when they hear the roaring sounds of the shredding equipment, followed by lugging our tree up to the chipper line, and finally the awe of seeing a tree turn into so many items used daily around the house. Normally each year there is an elderly lady who runs a little craft house and specializes in the crafts with Pine cones, various leaf art, lamps from limbs, and the like.

If you want to teach your family about "social responsibility" how better than when we have a captive audience? When we venture along through the holiday season children are constantly asked, "Have you been good this year..?" So in the event they want a certain toy or Xbox, there really isn't a better way to captivate a family audience than to make it a family tradition to visit the Christmas tree farm!

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