Consumers can access local Christmas Tree recycling information by entering their zip code at NCTA's website www.realchristmastrees.org or at the EARTH's 911 website www.cleanup.org, or they can call 1-800-CLEANUP. Among other services, EARTH's 911 is a "clearinghouse" of recycling information (locations, contacts, dates, etc.) for all kinds of materials from used motor oil to Real Christmas Trees. 

Many communities chip the trees into mulch for user on gardens, parks, hiking trails, playground areas, animal stalls and landscaping. Whole Christmas Trees are used in river shoreline stabilization, beach erosion prevention, marshland sedimentation, fish habitats, winter garden decorations, wild bird feeders and even hazardous chemical clean-ups. Even the trees that are not used in a specific program are all ultimately recycled back into nature, since Real Christmas Trees are 100% biodegradable. Most artificial trees, on the other hand, are made overseas from petroleum products, cannon be recycled, and provide no benefit to the environment. 

Nearly 98 percent of Christmas Trees are grown on farms as a crop just like corn, wheat or pumpkins. However, Christmas Trees can take between 4 and 15 years to grow large enough to harvest. Smaller trees are left in the field for a future harvest.  And for every Christmas Tree harvested, up to three more are planted following the harvest, according to the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA). Unlike other crops, there are always large numbers of Christmas Trees in the field all year. Earlier this year, Christmas Tree farmers across North America planted over 70 million seedlings.