In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony now held every year on the White House lawn. Since 1966, members of the National Christmas Tree Association have presented a beautiful, fresh Christmas tree to the President and first family. This tree is displayed each year in the Blue Room of the White House. Today, about 33 million American families use a live Christmas tree as part of their annual holiday celebrations. Most artificial trees are manufactured in Korea, Taiwan, or Hong Kong.
Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource.
Artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics and metals. There are about 1 million acres in production for growing Christmas trees. Each acre provides the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people. There are about 15,000 Christmas tree growers in the U.S., and over 100,000 people employed full or part time in the industry. The top Christmas tree producing states are Oregon, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, California, and North Carolina.