A GIFT TO THE PLANET; CHRISTMAS TREES CAN HELP ENVIRONMENT

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Christmas Trees are a center of attention this week. Standing straight and tall and decorated in various ways, although they maybe large or small in size, they appear real and a delight to behold.

Some trees are more than a holiday decoration. They have a two-fold purpose such as the Salvation Army Tree of Lights that becomes bright when a check is received that turns on a light. In turn, this special tree will provide Christmas for a family that will appreciate the gifts.

The Hospice Tree of Southeast Missouri Hospital is a living memorial to Hospice patients who are terminally ill. This tree serves a five-county region. Rose Hills Garden Club has thoughtfully erected a Bird's Christmas Tree, and decorated it with ornaments made from pine cones and other things that are filled with food birds enjoy eating. There are many thoughtful and useful trees in schools and churches because residents want everyone to find Christmas is a special time to be happy.

Almost every business has a tree or some form of holiday decoration. In homes, the family tree is placed so even passersby can enjoy it.

The story about Pastor Martin Luther's Christmas Tree is often told, as it is how German Prince Albert surprised Queen Victoria with a German Christmas Tree beautifully trimmed the first year of their marriage. The English have always loved holiday parties and the Christmas tree was quickly adopted to add to their festivities.

As we approach the new year, and soon the 21st century, environmental conditions in our country, and the world, have become a matter of concern. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the soil where seeds are planted for food has become affected from pollution and some toxic conditions. This is not all air, water and soil, but enough has been polluted to cause great concern. Some steps must be taken to stop further deterioration or the spread of the trouble.

This is where Christmas trees can help. Trees retain life, and are useful even when submerged under water. They become nesting places where fish can lay eggs, and small fish can hide.

Trees placed in gullies or where eroded land has become useless and unproductive can be reclaimed. An example of what the trees can do maybe seen on the upswing of Morley Hill and to the right of I-55. This large area of rolling hills was once eroded and full of gullies. These were filled with old Christmas trees, then covered with soil and now the land is smooth and beautiful. Cows and horses now graze there.

Evergreen trees like many other varieties are descendants of trees that grew 100-million years ago on this planet. Some of the species have become extinct, but others have remained. Man has improved some of the species, but others are becoming rare.

We have been told the important rain forests of the world are disappearing, trees are being cut, and the land turned into farmland to produce food for the ever growing population. Land is important, but so are certain environmental conditions that will continue to sustain life of growing vegetation. Christmas trees can assist in turned unused land into productive land.

When trouble comes to growing things, it acts quickly. Examples are the Dutch Elm disease that killed the American elm trees, and the Chestnut Blight that killed the American chestnut trees. No cure was found to stop the catastrophe.

Improving our environmental is a 1991 project that each of us must assist in promoting. When the decorations are removed from the beautiful trees in homes, stores and on the streets, don't burn the trees or put them in a trash pile, make them useful by helping keep Southeast Missouri beautiful and productive for your children and their children to enjoy.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!