PVC Christmas Trees May Climb to Record Sales in 2012
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 11, 2012 – According to early estimates, sales of man-made PVC Christmas trees could exceed $1 billion in 2012, 6 percent over last year, with a record 13.4 million trees sold by Christmas. This estimate is based on an analysis of sales data by BalsamHill.com, an online seller of artificial trees.
With today’s struggling economic climate, and continued price escalation of live Christmas trees, more people are expected to invest in an artificial tree that can last several years instead of continuing to purchase one that will be thrown out after a few weeks. The widespread drought of 2012 has destroyed acres of Christmas tree farms across the country. While younger trees not ready for sale were impacted the most, buyers can expect higher costs due to tree farmers having to plant more seedlings to replace those lost.
Meanwhile, Christmas tree manufacturers have focused on greater attention to detail, producing thicker trees with denser needles and intricate touches of snow to make artificial trees even more realistic.
A recent third party lifecycle analysis conducted for the American Christmas Tree Association comparing U.S. sales of real and artificial trees concluded either tree has a negligible impact on the environment, while length of ownership, disposal method, and “tree miles,” the distance the tree and the buyer traveled to get it home, are more significant factors. The study also found that one artificial tree used for more than eight seasons is environmentally friendlier than purchasing a live one every year.
Vinyl trees are durable, easy to assemble and take down, and need no maintenance, allowing more time for Christmas shopping and wrapping. They don’t leave pine needles on the floor or leak sap, do not need to be watered, which can damage floors and carpets, will not have unsightly bare spots, and do not bring chemical residue from pesticides into the home. The branches are resistant to fading, and crush resistant to keep their shape year after year.
In addition, vinyl trees have fire retardant properties, and are approved by the National Fire Protection Association, which reports more than 200 home structure fires annually begin with live Christmas trees, causing an annual average of 24 civilian fire deaths and more than $13 million in damage. As vinyl trees will not dry out or become a fire hazard, they can stay up longer and lengthen the Christmas season in a home.
Live Christmas trees may carry microscopic mold spores that can trigger allergy symptoms such as sneezing, or irritation of the eyes, nose, and sinuses. Mold can be a particular problem with live Christmas trees since they are harvested well in advance of the holidays and stored in a moist environment before coming into the home to again be stored in water.
Many who are allergic to pollen, dust, or terpene (the substance found in the oil or sap of natural trees), or who suffer from asthma, have determined artificial trees are a healthier option.
On the other hand, the American Christmas Tree Association states artificial trees use an extremely high quality vinyl that is chemically and mechanically stable and does not affect human health, and that vinyl is a safe plastic under normal conditions of use, with no danger of harmful emissions.
Moreover, artificial Christmas trees are made of millions of pounds of recycled vinyl, and manufacturers of artificial trees can recycle scrap vinyl right within their own factories.
Christmas Lights Etc. offers outdoor trees that stand up to 50 feet tall, its branch needles made of high-grade commercial vinyl that quickly snap back into place when bent or pressed. Its trees are used at town center squares, parks, zoos, office complexes, schools, churches, and other commercial buildings around the country.
Some artificial Christmas tree manufacturers such as ChristmasTreeForMe.com and Treetime.com offer non-traditional holiday celebrants vinyl trees in white, red, hot pink, purple, teal, lime green, and gothic black, and upside-down, slim, half-trees that are flat on one side, and tabletop trees for those with limited space.
The American Christmas Tree Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate the public with factual data to help consumers make intelligent decisions about Christmas trees.
For more information, go to www.christmastreeassociation.org, www.treetime.com, www.balsamhill.com, www.christmastreeforme.com, and www.christmaslightsetc.com.
The Vinyl Institute represents the leading manufacturers involved in the production of PVC vinyl in the United States, and promotes the value of PVC and vinyl products to society.
For more information, contact:
Kevin Mulvaney
Vice President of Marketing & Communications
The Vinyl Institute
571-970-3285
kmulvaney@vinylinfo.org
Also go to: www.vinylindesign.com, www.vinylnewsservice.net , and www.vinylinfo.org.
