Artificial Christmas trees are from China and over the years, have affected the sale of real live trees in the United States. Nearly all of these fake trees contain lead, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and insects and are not environmentally friendly.
However, real trees are making a comeback. Formed by two of the largest Christmas tree growers in the U.S. - Holiday Tree Farms and Yule Tree Farms - the Coalition of Environmentally Conscious Growers(TM), a not-for-profit 501 (C)(6), is an organization dedicated to environmentally-sound farming practices and consumer education.
The Coalition has recently developed hang tags to mark trees that have been certified as having been grown under stringent environmental criteria. The intent of the certification process is to ensure that growers are utilizing sustainable growing practices in the production of Christmas trees. Over 200,000 trees will bear the tag this year.
Certification Process
Growers will be evaluated by Freer Consulting Company based in Seattle, an independent auditor using the program elements outlined in this document. To meet the requirements for certification under the Coalition of Environmentally Conscious Growers criteria, each of the program elements must result in Level Two or higher ratings in six or more elements.
Scoring
Scoring of program elements will be on a three level system.
- Level One: Farm management shows little or no knowledge of the required element or does not practice management techniques that fulfill the criteria.
- Level Two: Farm management demonstrates basic knowledge of the required element and practices that meet the minimum standards that fulfill the criteria.
- Level Three: Farm management demonstrates extensive knowledge of the required element and meets or exceeds the minimum standards that fulfill those criteria.
Maintaining Certification
The Coalition of Environmentally Conscious Growers certification is valid for three years. All participants are subject to annual site evaluations that include a performance overview focusing on any significant alterations in management practices that could affect the continued validity of certification. Satisfactory progress in meeting any deficiencies in program elements or requirements is confirmed during the annual evaluation.
Elements
- Riparian/Wetland Management – The focus of this element is on the measures taken and management practices employed to protect areas adjoining streams and waterways to and their inhabitants. The prevention of adverse impacts is accomplished through the design and management of the riparian zone buffers, vegetative cover, and by minimizing stream channel disturbances.
- Soil and Water Conservation – The goal must be to minimize soil losses through conservation tillage and other erosion control practices. Responsible farmland management does not rely exclusively on buffer zones. Some soil loss is unavoidable, creating the need for sediment traps and diversions to control run-off water flows through and off the farm.
- Nutrient Management – Proper nutrition is critical the producing a healthy, viable crop. Care needs to be taken to use the proper fertilizers and amendments to provide for the needs of the trees while not applying in excess so that it ends up in waterways.
- Site Selection – Careful consideration of the growing site is important for a successful Christmas tree crop. Soil type, organic content, slope, drainage, climate, and altitude are some of the key factors in considering a new field.
- Pest Management – Misuse of chemicals can lead to waterway and soil contamination making it important for growers to carefully look at how they manage pests. Implementation of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is criteria step in environmental protection. While such a program does not exclude the use of chemicals, it includes careful pest monitoring and identification, determining acceptable pest thresholds, and treatment with the least toxic products.
- Worker Safety and Protection – A key part to a raising quality Christmas trees is a healthy, productive staff. Employee safety and well-being is always a priority.
- Biodiversity – Sustainable farming also include practices that support and enhance biodiversity throughout the farm. Soil micro fauna, such as bacteria and fungi, break down soil organic matter and help maintain soil quality while recycling nutrients. Many insects are beneficial and prey on agricultural pests. Increasing biodiversity on the farm not only benefits wildlife but also the farm itself.
- Consumer Education – Most of the general population does not understand farming practices, especially that of Christmas trees and how they are good for the environment. The public needs to be informed of sustainable practices that promote the best care of the land, water, air, and nature in general and understand that renewable, recyclable crops are the key to the future.
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