Collegiate Times

TREES

Roll Out Farm, located in Pilot, Va., is dedicated to making its Christmas trees a little greener. The father-and-son business stopped spraying their trees with insecticides about five years ago to cut down on costs and toxins. Their equipment is powered by waste vegetable oil, and except for their cat, there are no animals on the farm. 

There is a slightly higher tree death rate associated with not spraying the trees, said Jason Owens, son of Roll Farm owner, Ken Owens. But the benefits outweigh the costs.

Not only is skipping insecticides more cost effective, but it has helped the local ecosystem. After foregoing the pesticide, Owens noted that bird and praying mantis populations -- both species that eat bugs that attack Christmas trees -- increased. Insecticides do not affect the way the trees look and can be harmful to the environment and humans. 

Trees are priced by height. A five to six foot-tree is $25 and six footers will cost $30. Wreaths are available for purchase for $12 alone and are $10 with the purchase of a tree. Greenery, or fallen limbs that can be used for decoration, are free as are cones that fall from the spruce or fir trees. Pets on a leash are welcome. Roll Out Farm serves complimentary cookies, hot chocolate and hot cider. The farm is located on 3774 Sunflower Road and is about 20 miles from Blacksburg.

FESTIVITIES

When you're celebrating this holiday season, remember, "Kegs over cases and glasses over bottles," Dulys-Nusbaum said. Kegs are more environmentally friendly because they use less aluminum than multiple cases of cans and are typically recycled. Also, when you're out at a bar, ask for draft beer as opposed to bottled. The glasses are reused and won't be thrown out as bottles are. When celebrating at home, use your own cups instead of stocking up on plastic ones.

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