The big debate: Real or Fake Christmas trees?

It sounds simple enough doesn’t it? Let’s revisit this choice after going over a little research.

Most fake trees (85%) come from China.
Most fake trees are made of metals and plastic (no surprise there).
The plastic material, is typically PVC (We encourage you to do a brief Google search on the health affects of poly vinyl chloride). It also main contain lead.
In fact, the potential for lead poisoning is great enough that fake trees made in China are required by California Prop 65 to have a warning label. Some trees also come with gloves for you to use when assembling the tree to limit exposure.
Interesting trivia and humorous visual image: The first fake trees were made by a company that primarily made toilet bowl brushes (Addis Brush Co.).
Fake trees are not fireproof. The main cause of holiday fires are overloaded electrical outlets and faulty wires (fake trees often nowadays come “pre-lit”), but to our minds the chances of toxic smoke inhalation from a burning fake tree is the most worrisome part.

Richard Maas, the Director of Environmental Studies at UNC-Asheville shares these tips for people who have fake trees:
Keep children away from the tree. Do not allow them to touch the tree.
If you touch the tree, wash your hands thoroughly before touching your face or handling food.
Do not vacuum dust under the tree, especially with a vacuum that does not have a HEPA filter. Vacuuming could spread lead dust through the air in tiny particles, creating an inhalation danger.

Now those still skeptical among you might point out (correctly) that some Christmas tree growers use chemicals to control pests during the latter lifespan of a real tree. A program called Integrated Pest Management (IPM Farms) to greatly reduce the frequency and amount of pesticides used on farms by utilizing a greater awareness of what bugs are where and when they begin their life cycles. I am not going to mention which one, but one very healthy fruit gets sprayed for bugs probably twice (or more) as often as real trees and we eat it!

It is our hope that whichever tree you choose that you are well-informed with your choice! Knowledge is indeed power!

Strength in numbers

We're getting ready to host a special event in conjunction with the local chamber of commerce (Ashe County) and it highlights an important point: Networking is good.

When we started this business several years ago, we were small, but we had big visions. So we made it a priority to join the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce and High Country Host. We might have had a small cash flow, but our membership status in those organizations put us on a par with Ashe Federal Bank and Grandfather Mountain. And when opportunities to decorate the Ashe Chamber office or put up a holiday display at High Country Host popped up, we jumped at the chance!

We also became members of the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association, along with the local Ashe Co. version (and the neighboring Mt. Rogers Christmas Tree Assoc.) and the National Christmas Tree Association. All of those, particularly the state association, have paid off, both directly and indirectly. Those memberships have afforded us opportunities to get involved in the industry and receive contacts that we might not have made.

Maybe the secret is out because more Choose and Cut and related Christmas Tree businesses are joining the chamber. The downside is that we won't be the big fish in the small pond anymore, but the upside is that there is truly strength in numbers and the more options that customers have the more likely it is they will make Ashe County their destination to buy a tree, etc.

Here's some photos from our After Hours event!
http://www.ashechamber.com/enews133.htm

Outstanding in a Field

Welcome to the barn and the West End Blog...

We receive many questions from those who enjoy real Christmas trees and wreaths and I'll do my best to respond to your queries here so that we can all gain a greater understanding of this great product.

The current question du jour relates to the drought conditions much of the country has endured this year and how that affects Christmas trees.

First of all, the mountains of North Carolina have received some rainfall this spring and summer, and those hardy Fraser Firs still look good...and with a little more rain and an adequate amount of phosphorus and calcium in the soil and a couple of good hard frosts the trees will be in good shape come harvest.

The aforementioned nutrients are more important to needle retention than moisture...they impact the strength of the connection bewteen the needle and the stem/branch. We tend to believe that the lack of rainfall has had a negative impact on overall growth, but not the overall health or beauty of the trees.