Oregon produced 9 million trees on 67,000 acres in 1998, with a crop value of $144 million. Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United states since about 1850. Until fairly recently, all Christmas trees came from the forest. California, Oregon, Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and North Carolina are the top Christmas tree producing states. Thirty-four to thirty-six million Christmas trees are produced each year and 95 percent are shipped or sold directly from Christmas tree farms. The best selling trees are Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Virginia pine, Balsam fir and white pine. An acre of Christmas trees provides for the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people. Over one million acres of land have been planted in Christmas trees. The industry employs over 100,000 people. Many Christmas tree growers grow trees on a part-time basis to supplement farm and non-farm income. More than 2,000 trees are usually planted per acre. On an average 1,000-1,500 of these trees will survive. In the North, maybe, 750 trees will remain. Almost all trees require shearing to attain the Christmas tree shape. At six to seven feet, trees are ready for harvest. It takes six to ten years of fighting heavy rain, wind, hail and drought to get a mature tree. Oregon produces the most real Christmas trees. Since 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association has given a Christmas tree to the President and first family. Growing Christmas trees provides a habitat for wildlife Christmas trees remove dust and pollen from the air. The use of evergreen trees to celebrate the winter season occurred before the birth of Christ. Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states including Hawaii and Alaska. 98 percent of all Christmas trees are grown on farms. 77 million Christmas trees are planted each year. On average, over 2,000 Christmas trees are planted per acre. You should never burn your Christmas tree in the fireplace. it can contribute to creosote buildup. Other types of trees such as cherry and hawthorns were used as Christmas trees in the past. Artificial trees will last for six years in your home, but for centuries in a landfill. Thomas Edison’s assistants came up with the idea of electric lights for Christmas trees. In 1963, the National Christmas Tree was not lighted until December 22nd because of a national 30-day period of mourning following the assassination of President Kennedy. Teddy Roosevelt banned the Christmas tree from the White House for environmental reasons. In the first week, a tree in your home will consume as much as a quart of water per day. A Christmas tree decoration was banned by the government. Tinsel contained lead at one time, now it’s made of plastic. Real Christmas trees are involved in less than one-tenth of one percent of residential fires and only when ignited by some external ignition sources. Christmas trees can be recycled. 2-3 seedlings are planted for every harvested Christmas tree. In 1984, the National Christmas tree was lit on December 13th with temperatures in the 70's, making it one of the warmest tree lightings in history.