WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP 1858 RAMSEY COUNTY MINNESOTA CHRISTMAS TREE FACTS- There are approximately 25-30 million real Christmas trees sold in the U.S. every year There are close to 350 million real Christmas trees currently growing on Christmas tree farms in the US. alone, all planted by farmers -North American real Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states & Canada -80% of artificial trees worldwide are manufactured in China, according to the U.S. Commerce Department Realtrees are a renewable, recyclable resource. Artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics & possible metal toxins such as lead News & Views There are more than 4,000 local Christmas tree recycling programs throughout the U.S. -For every real Christmas tree harvested, 1 to 3 seedlings are planted the following spring There are about 350,000 acres in production for growing Christmas trees in the US, much of it preserving green space There are close to 15,000 farms growing Christmas trees in the US, & over 100,000 people are employed full or part-time in the industry It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of typical height (6-7 feet) or as little as 4 years, but average growing 7 The top Christmas tree producing states are Oregon, North Caroline, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin & Washington A bi-weekly section where readers will be informed on subjects of seasonal interest, upcoming events and other timely topics. WANT TO HELP PROTECT WHITE BEAR LAKE'S WATER QUALITY? The Rice Creek Watershed District is looking for community members for the 2023 Minnesota Water Stewards Program. The program is for people who want to be leaders in improving & protecting water quality in the Rice Creek Watershed. You will attend online courses to learn more about water quality & complete a project within the watershed with guidance from staff. Program fees are all paid by the District & funds are awarded to support the projects that each Water Steward will implement, such as rain gardens. Applications are being accepted now at www.minnesotawaterstewards.org.Classes start beginning of January 2023. Contact Kendra Sommerfeld at kommerfeld@nicecreek.org if interested. DON'T OVER SALT YOUR SIDEWALKS/DRIVEWAYS-While decers dearly improve safety & getting around in the winter, it's important to maintain hard surfaces properly & use deicers only on critical areas: One teaspoon of salt will pollute 5 gallons of water on plants include dried up & brown needles & leaves; loss of foliage, buds & branches; & premature plant death Runoff from deicing chemicals results in pollution of groundwater, the source of most Minnesotans' drinking water Salt can be absorbed by plant roots, causing dehydration, & salt spray can burn turf & foliage especially on evergreens. Sodium causes clay particles in soil to expand, increasing soil compaction, reducing water infiltration & making it hard for roots to grow. Weeds like Canada thistle, however, grow well in compacted soils. WINTER DRIVING TIPS- -Increase following distance to 8-10 seconds when driving on ky, slippery surfaces When driving up & down hills, observe how other vehicles are reacting & maintain safe distance Steer & brake with smooth, careful, & precise movements rather than quick, jerky motions -Drive in the lane that's been most recently plowed, & avoid changing lines unless necessary Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface -Chloride in high amounts affects the oxygen levels & natural mixing of lakes & waterways & is Take extra care when driving on shaded spots, bridges, overpasses,& intersections toxic to fish, aquatic bugs & amphibians -Excessive use of deicing salts can degrade concrete, asphalt & natural stone, & corrode metals Dangers of Deicing Salts to Plants: The White Bear Township Board Members & Staff Wish You & Your Family a Very Merry & Safe Holiday Season! -Deicing salt harms & ultimately may kill plants. Sodium chloride, the most commonly used deicer in the Twin Cities, causes the most significant plant damage. Symptoms of salt damage Visit www.whitebeartownship.org or call 651.747.2750 1281 Hammond Road, White Bear Township, Minnesota 55110 facebook WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP 1858 RAMSEY COUNTY MINNESOTA CHRISTMAS TREE FACTS There are approximately 25-30 million real Christmas trees sold in the U.S. every year There are close to 350 million real Christmas trees currently growing on Christmas tree farms in the US . alone , all planted by farmers -North American real Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states & Canada -80 % of artificial trees worldwide are manufactured in China , according to the U.S. Commerce Department Realtrees are a renewable , recyclable resource . Artificial trees contain non - biodegradable plastics & possible metal toxins such as lead News & Views There are more than 4,000 local Christmas tree recycling programs throughout the U.S. -For every real Christmas tree harvested , 1 to 3 seedlings are planted the following spring There are about 350,000 acres in production for growing Christmas trees in the US , much of it preserving green space There are close to 15,000 farms growing Christmas trees in the US , & over 100,000 people are employed full or part - time in the industry It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of typical height ( 6-7 feet ) or as little as 4 years , but average growing 7 The top Christmas tree producing states are Oregon , North Caroline , Michigan , Pennsylvania , Wisconsin & Washington A bi - weekly section where readers will be informed on subjects of seasonal interest , upcoming events and other timely topics . WANT TO HELP PROTECT WHITE BEAR LAKE'S WATER QUALITY ? The Rice Creek Watershed District is looking for community members for the 2023 Minnesota Water Stewards Program . The program is for people who want to be leaders in improving & protecting water quality in the Rice Creek Watershed . You will attend online courses to learn more about water quality & complete a project within the watershed with guidance from staff . Program fees are all paid by the District & funds are awarded to support the projects that each Water Steward will implement , such as rain gardens . Applications are being accepted now at www.minnesotawaterstewards.org.Classes start beginning of January 2023. Contact Kendra Sommerfeld at kommerfeld@nicecreek.org if interested . DON'T OVER SALT YOUR SIDEWALKS / DRIVEWAYS - While decers dearly improve safety & getting around in the winter , it's important to maintain hard surfaces properly & use deicers only on critical areas : One teaspoon of salt will pollute 5 gallons of water on plants include dried up & brown needles & leaves ; loss of foliage , buds & branches ; & premature plant death Runoff from deicing chemicals results in pollution of groundwater , the source of most Minnesotans ' drinking water Salt can be absorbed by plant roots , causing dehydration , & salt spray can burn turf & foliage especially on evergreens . Sodium causes clay particles in soil to expand , increasing soil compaction , reducing water infiltration & making it hard for roots to grow . Weeds like Canada thistle , however , grow well in compacted soils . WINTER DRIVING TIPS -Increase following distance to 8-10 seconds when driving on ky , slippery surfaces When driving up & down hills , observe how other vehicles are reacting & maintain safe distance Steer & brake with smooth , careful , & precise movements rather than quick , jerky motions -Drive in the lane that's been most recently plowed , & avoid changing lines unless necessary Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface -Chloride in high amounts affects the oxygen levels & natural mixing of lakes & waterways & is Take extra care when driving on shaded spots , bridges , overpasses , & intersections toxic to fish , aquatic bugs & amphibians -Excessive use of deicing salts can degrade concrete , asphalt & natural stone , & corrode metals Dangers of Deicing Salts to Plants : The White Bear Township Board Members & Staff Wish You & Your Family a Very Merry & Safe Holiday Season ! -Deicing salt harms & ultimately may kill plants . Sodium chloride , the most commonly used deicer in the Twin Cities , causes the most significant plant damage . Symptoms of salt damage Visit www.whitebeartownship.org or call 651.747.2750 1281 Hammond Road , White Bear Township , Minnesota 55110 facebook