What is the greenest crop in Iowa? You might say clover, corn, or grass but it is actually Evergreen trees. These trees are green year-round while those other species are harvested or go dormant during the winter months.
Iowa’s Christmas Tree Varieties
White Pine, Scotch Pine, Concolor Fir, Canaan Fir, Fraser Fir, and Blue Spruce are the six varieties of Evergreen trees that are grown in Iowa. These varieties are known for being able to withstand bitter winters and hot summers that Iowa experiences. The varying soil types and pH are other characteristics that these species are able to endure in Iowa’s region.
Tree Disposal
During the holiday season, real Christmas trees are a popular item! Many people talk about how to care for them, but how do you properly dispose of these trees?
Many consumers may believe that the landfill is the best place to dispose of used Christmas trees, but that is not true. The use of landfills for removal of the Evergreen trees can cause many problems for the disposal site. Dead Evergreen trees are highly flammable and can cause fires in landfills. Christmas trees also take up space in these sites. Both of these problems are serious, but decomposition time is another complication. Evergreen trees take longer to break down in a landfill than in other environments.
Since Christmas trees are biodegradable, there are a few environmentally beneficial ways to dispose of them. The first way is to have your tree grinded into mulch. Other than being a great way to recycle, mulch is a great way to protect the soil and insulate flowerbeds, gardens, and other areas from the harsh winter conditions. Mulch also decomposes and can add nutrients back into the soil while doing so. Another way to dispose of your Christmas tree is by placing it at the bottom of a private fishpond. You must have permission prior to transferring the tree to the pond. The tree can also provide a place for species to call home and can elevate the complexity of the pond’s ecosystem.
Christmas trees are great additions to our agroecosystem in many ways. Make proper disposal another benefit this year!
Iowa Agriculture Literacy 