How many trees are cut down for Christmas each year?

30-35 million trees are cut down for Christmas every year.

 Have you ever wondered what the origin of the Christmas tree tradition is? It goes back as early as the 1500's.

You can go to: http://urbanext.illinois.edu/trees/facts.cfm, in which the University of Illinois states many interesting Christmas tree facts referenced from the National Christmas Tree Association, and USDA Census of Agriculture.

...The older I get, and the more consciously aware I become about the Earth it saddens me to think that we cut down 6 to 10 year-old beautiful, livley trees just to hang ornaments on and stare at for a week before they get tossed out with the rest of the garabage. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas, and the tradition we have in my family of decorating the tree together on Christmas Eve. At the same time, my love for the environment can't seem to justify why we do this to a poor tree that could be living, breathing, cleaning our air, and being shelter for animals just for one specific night of tradition. For the longest time I didn't think about the tree, and now that my awareness has been rekindled, I remember as a child thinking the same way and begging my parents for a potted Christams tree every year so we could decorate it, celebrate with it, and then plant it in the backyard. Most of the time it was too expensive for us. One year they got us one, and it was one of the best family events we had, in the true spirit of Giving. Giving the tree back to the Earth. Alive. My family still buys cut trees for Christmas. At my house, though, I bring in my potted ficus tree and decorate it.

Have you ever wondered what happens to the trees that don't get sold? I know the Christmas tree industry has to make a living too, but I think the saddest loss is when the trees that get cut don't live their final days in admiration.

This was a Christmas tree lot a few weeks ago, and this one never made it home to someone. Now it sits (this photo was taken on January 6, 2010) without a soul caring. Just two weeks ago it was in high demand, being sold for who knows how much...According to the website above, another 73 million trees will be planted this year in hopes they will make it. About half will survive weathering and pruning in order to be harvested for Christmas years from now.