December 9, 2003

Iowa-grown trees abundant,
provide environmental benefits

Liz Owens
digital iowa staff reporter
Drake University

DES MOINES, Iowa — This crop is good for the environment and can be found on 1,112 acres in Iowa. It is also in season.

"In Iowa, there is literally one [Christmas tree] within the reach of everyone," said Machelle Shaffer, communications director for the Iowa Department of Agriculture.

Iowa's Christmas trees do more than decorate homes with their beauty and permeate the air with the scent of freshly cut greenness. They are a crop, one for which there is a viable market, and they provide for the usage of non-fertile land.

Kidman Tree Farm, at 3665 N.W. 98th Ave. in Polk City, got its start in 1992 because Christmas trees were the only crop that could survive on parts of Michael and Renee Kidman's land.

Rather than let this Iowa farmland go to waste, the Kidmans planted Christmas trees and since then, they have turned this initiative into a fun and successful business. In addition to being able to raise crops on this otherwise useless cropland, the Kidmans appreciate the environmental benefits of Christmas trees.

"They're a renewable resource," Renee said.

The Department of Agriculture promotes the usage of real trees in part for that very reason.

"For every tree that's cut down, there are two or three seedlings that get planted," Shaffer said.

Jack Miller of Jack Miller Tree Farm, 7404 Vandalia Road in Runnells, said these trees also provide oxygen for Iowa residents.

"One acre of Christmas trees provides enough oxygen for 20 people year-round," Miller said.

Miller, Shaffer and Renee Kidman were all quick to point out that these trees are home grown.

The Department of Agriculture reports that most artificial trees are manufactured in Korea, Hong Kong or Taiwan. Yet Shaffer said Iowans should check out trees in their home state because Iowa alone has more than 290 Christmas tree farms.

Miller said these tree farms should be receiving the business of Iowa Christmas tree buyers.

"Why promote products from China?" he said. "We should be promoting America."

Real Christmas trees also benefit Iowa because they are biodegradable.

"A fake tree sits in the landfill for a hundred years," Renee said. "There's nothing bad I can tell you about a real tree."

Shaffer also pointed out the usefulness of Christmas trees once the holiday season has ended. Shaffer said the trees can be buried in ponds for fish cover or put on the deck with bread and orange slices for a bird feeder.

"There are a lot of neat things you can do with it," Shaffer said

Plus, most of Iowa's tree farms are a family affair. At Kidman Tree Farm, the majority of the people working are related to the Kidmans in some way. Renee's father parks cars. Her mother feeds people. Their son and daughter-in-law make wreaths. Only six or seven non-family members are involved in this bustling operation.

Miller's farm has been family-run since 1954. The Miller Tree Farm employs Miller and his wife, their four children and spouses, and their grandchildren. By making their tree farms family businesses, the Millers and Kidmans hope to help connect families.

"We like to promote family activities that will keep families together," Miller said.

The Kidman Tree Farm has expanded its business beyond trees just for the purpose family enjoyment through this form of "agritainment." The farm features a gift shop, wreath making, pictures with Santa and horse-drawn wagon rides. Check the farm's Web site, www.kidmanfarms.com, for details on when each of these holiday festivities is available.

"Hardly anybody comes with a grouchy mood, and if they do, they're not grouchy when they leave," Renee said.

Another form of entertainment the Kidmans provide is available each day of the season Ñ the Kidmans are the proud owners of two reindeer, Mistletoe and Jingles. This sister-brother pair is one of the main attractions at the farm and has been for six years. The Kidmans have had the two since Mistletoe, the girl, was a year and a half and Jingles, the boy, was six months. The Kidmans saw reindeer at a national convention and "Mike thought they were so cool," so the Kidmans acquired two of their own, Renee said.

The reindeer are also for hire in the evening and have been to venues and events such as Merle Hay Mall, Iowa State University and Fire in the Sky.

"They don't fly to the events, though," Renee said.

The Kidman Tree Farm is open Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Jack Miller Tree Farm is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Jingles and Mistletoe, a brother-sister pair of reindeer, are one of Kidman Tree Farm's main attractions — even though "they don't fly."