Update: Obama Administration Delays Christmas Tree Fee

Update 1:39a.m.

According to ABC News, the Obama administration has decided to delay implementation of and revisit a proposed 15-cent fee on fresh-cut Christmas trees.

Revenue from the fee would go toward promotion of buying real trees instead of fake trees.

Original post: 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture ordered Tuesday that a 15-cent fee on Christmas trees be imposed at nurseries around the country, including those in California.

Revenue from the new fee, which will be in effect this holiday season, will go toward a promotional and advertising campaign prompting Americans to buy a real tree for their yuletide cheer, reported NBC San Diego. 

So, why do real trees need an agent? NBC San Diego reports that artificial tree sales nearly doubled from 2003 to 2007 (17.4 million fake, plastic trees went home with U.S. families that year) while the sale of the live trees has been slowly declining. 

Fake trees from abroad have also impacted the American market, and the revenue from the fee would only go to supporting domestic growers. 

Artificial tree purchases, on the other hand, grew from 9.8 million in 2003 to 17.4 million in 2007, the Federal Register reports.

What do you think about the new fee?

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