Buy a real, local Christmas tree this year and go green!

Similar to the popular "farm to table" movement, by which customers know and appreciate where their food comes from, the Maryland Christmas Tree Association (MCTA) farmers hope this year's "Buy local-Buy Real" holiday message resonates the same way, and encourages families to venture out to find a home-grown live Christmas tree.

According to MCTA, most experts agree that using a real versus a fake Christmas tree as a holiday centerpiece is the overall best "green" choice for the environment and the local economy. Since fake trees end up in landfills and are manufactured - mostly in China - from toxic materials such as PVC, they're hardly eco-friendly.

Evergreens are low impact crops that help create wildlife habitat and soil stability. Plus, says Wilma Muir, president of the MCTA, "While it may appear that tree farming is a seasonal business, tree farmers spend the entire year working their farms ", and tree growers generally replace each cut tree by planting two or three new seedlings.

The bottom line is: When you purchase a locally grown Christmas tree, you help our farmers keep Maryland Green and Growing, and the local economy vibrant.

Celebrate the First Decorated Christmas tree in Riga!

Did you know that 2010 is the 500th year anniversary of the first decorated Christmas tree in Riga, the capitol city of Latvia? This year, courtesy of the MCTA, you can celebrate the anniversary with a fresh, local, real tree and win a free trip to the beautiful city of Riga, Latvia to see where the decorated Christmas tree was born.

For the first time, some 100 MCTA-member farms have launched a radio and digital campaign, which also features a contest for a 7-day trip to Riga, including air fare, lodging and planned activities. There's no obligation to buy a tree, but folks have to visit a participating Maryland tree farm to obtain a special code to enter the contest. The contest runs from Nov. 22-Dec. 22. Visit http://www.marylandchristmastrees.org for a listing of participating MCTA farms. This website also gives information on the different kinds of Christmas trees, how to care for your fresh tree, and more. (For information about the beautiful city of Riga, go to www.rigatourism.lv )

Visit the where to buy local sites for a list of all Christmas Tree Farms throughout Maryland.

Back to Buy Local for the Holidays main page.