Did you have a plastic turkey for Thanksgiving? Then why have a plastic tree for Christmas?

The number one reason people give for using an artificial Christmas tree is that they're tired of dried out trees that leave needles in their carpets after the Christmas season is over. But really fresh trees don't shed needles, and you can be sure to get a fresh tree by cutting your own at a "choose and cut" Christmas tree farm. In the south, we have a Christmas tree, Leyland cypress, that won't shed needles on your carpet and will outlast any other tree on the market. Kept in water, it's not unusual for a Leyland cypress to last two months or more in your home. It's as petty as any tree you've seen and doesn't seem to bother most allergy sufferers.

What about those stories of real trees becoming a fire hazard if they dry out? With proper care a fresh cut tree will remain fresh and safe. It's not widely known, but most artificial will burn and, when they do, can give off toxic fumes much more dangerous than the fire itself.

Maybe you've heard that using an artificial tree saves trees, thereby improving and maintaining the environment. The truth is nearly all real Christmas trees are planted and grown solely for Christmas trees. If people didn't buy real Christmas trees, much of the land on which they grow would not be growing trees at all. And, as soon as Christmas trees are harvested, new seedlings are planted in their place.

Artificial trees are made from non-renewable resources (most often petroleum) and create hazardous waste both in their manufacture and disposal. Most will pollute our landfills for centuries. On the other hand, real trees are naturally biodegradable, a renewable resource that can be enjoyed forever.

Real trees produce life-giving oxygen as they grow, rid the air of carbon dioxide, provide habitat for wildlife and prevent erosion. Christmas tree plantations in the United States produce enough oxygen to supply the needs of 18,000,000 people, over 7% of our population.

Furthermore, discarded real Christmas trees are increasingly being recycled. In southern Louisiana they are in great demand for coastal restoration. Ever heard of a plastic tree being recycled?

How many bird nests have you seen in artificial trees? Louisiana's Christmas Forest provides homes for all kinds of wildlife: song birds, quail, doves, squirrels, Purple Martins, deer and rabbits, to name a few.

And, there are good economic reasons for buying a real Christmas tree. For the most part artificial trees are made overseas, mainly in Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Real Christmas trees are nearly all grown right here in the United States, where they pay local, state and national taxes, create jobs, keep our money at home and improve our environment.

Finally, the beauty and warmth of a real Christmas tree can't be duplicated by plastic. If we're willing to substitute fake trees for real, how long will it be before other Christmas traditions and the true meaning of the Season are also forgotten? So, this year, why not leave that plastic tree in the attic and try a real tree from a local choose and cut Christmas tree farm?

Safety Tips for Enjoying Your Christmas Tree

We all enjoy the pleasant fragrance and genuine beauty of a live Christmas tree.

Choosing a Precut tree: Grasp a branch between your thumb and forefinger and pull toward you. Very few needles will come off if the tree is fresh. Next, take a few needles and bend them. If they spring back, the tree is fresh. Now, bump the trunk of the tree on the ground. If green needles fall off the tree, it is not fresh. You can expect a few brown needles to fall from the tree. Choose another tree if many brown needles fall off.

The length of time a tree has been cut affects tree freshness. Trees that have dropped to below a 75 percent foliar moisture content will continue to dry out even when placed in water. Select trees that have been cut for a short period of time.

Choosing a Field Grown Tree Trees still connected to their roots will be fresh and full of water. Select a tree that will fit your stand. Then gently shake the tree to see if any green needles fall. After that, break a few needles and check for fragrance.

Before Bringing the Tree Inside If your tree has been cut for more than one hour, recut at least one inch from the trunk and place the tree in plain water immediately. If you are not going to take the tree inside until later, store the tree out of the wind and sun in an unheated sheltered area such as a garage or porch. Do not expose the tree to freezing temperatures at any time. Make certain the container has sufficient capacity to keep the trunk in water all the time. A fresh tree may use more than a gallon of water a day.

Because your tree is a natural product, you can expect to find some dead needles, small limbs and grasses in the tree. Clean the dead materials from the tree before you bring it inside. This step may not be necessary if you purchase the tree from someone who shakes the tree when you buy it.

If the tree is stored outside in water for several days, recut a half inch from the stem just before you take it inside.

Once Your Tree is Inside Once your tree is inside, you can care for it by placing it in a stable container that will hold at least 1, and preferable 2, gallons of water. Keep the trunk base covered with water. Check the water level each day. Keep the tree away from heat sources such as hot air ducts, radiators, fireplaces and television sets. Remember, heat will dry your tree out. Follow these additional fire safety tips:

• Use only UL-approved lighting accessories.
• Avoid combustible decorations.
• Keep metal foil and tinsel away from electrical sockets.
• Always turn off your decorations before going to bed or leaving home.
• Make sure your smoke detector is in good working order.
• Make sure your fire extinguisher is in good working order.
• Never place candles or other open flame sources on or near your tree.
• Test your light cords before you put them on your tree. They should be in good working order and in good working condition.

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For more information, contact Chris R. Robichaux, Ph. D., county agent, St. Martin/Iberia parishes at 332-2181 or 369-4440