Americans are allowed to cut down pine trees from national forests.

Decorating one's home with a brightly lit Christmas tree is one of the things many people care about every Christmas season. However, this seemingly simple task can cause many people to "rack their brains" when choosing between using a "real" tree and a "fake" one. Although many believe that using a reusable plastic tree is the best way to protect the environment, using a real tree is generally preferred because it makes the Christmas atmosphere more authentic. And in fact, according to NASA research, using a real tree also has a positive impact on the environment because all trees help clean the air by absorbing CO2.₂and release oxygen.

"Every pine tree found, cut down, and brought home creates a new story," said Randy Moore, Director of the USDA Forest Service. "These stories become memories and traditions, something we want to preserve for generations, connecting families to the forests in their areas."

Above all, as described in the agency's new press release, felling trees is entirely beneficial for forest development. "Removing trees in designated areas will allow other trees to grow larger, and may open up new pathways for wildlife in their search for food." Experts determined that in dense pine forests, felling will create opportunities for smaller trees to grow and potentially reach the perfect size for a Christmas tree.

What's remarkable is that Americans only need to pay between $5 and $20 (approximately 100,000 to 500,000 VND) for cutting down a tree in national forests, which is significantly cheaper than the price at a store or a pine plantation.

National forests currently implementing programs allowing people to cut down trees include: Mount Hood (Oregon), Olympic (Washington), Sequoia and Tahoe (California), Prescott (Arizona), Black Hills (South Dakota), Shawnee (Illinois), Ocala (Florida), Green Mountain (Vermont), and White Mountain (Maine). In these areas, tree-cutting permits will be issued.Recreation.gov.

Khanh Ha