Every year around $20 billion is fed into the U.S. economy on Black Friday. Most of that money comes from holiday shopping, but a small percentage is spent on holiday decorating, specifically, Christmas trees. The money filters straight into our local economy. It comes down to a simple tradition for most families. Spend some time at a local tree farm and you here the same things over and over again.

"We've had a tree since I was a kid."

"It's tradition. We get the tree out after Thanksgiving."

"I do it every year."

What many families don't know is that by choosing a tree from a local farmer they are actually going green.

"An acre of Christmas tree's can provide enough oxygen for 20 people on a daily basis. The real benefit of a real tree is knowing that you're helping the environment. It makes oxygen and stores carbon," said tree farmer Mark Fisher.

If your plans are to buy or unpack an artificial tree, you may want to consider what you're left with.  Artificial trees are made form p-v-c plastic and 85% of them are from China.

"It will end up in a landfill and will last for hundreds of years," said Fisher.

"A fresh tree is a lot nicer you can go pick it out. It smells nice and looks a lot nicer than a fake one," said one tree shopper.

"We got a artificial tree once and we were getting it out, it was just a disaster," said another.

Several families say the economic cut backs won't ruin this yearly tradition

"Christmas is so commercial so you got to get a real tree. We'll collect cans if we have to," said one father.

"As long as we have a job, we can still buy one. It helps in these hard times, to keep those traditions going," said a woman.

Check out these local tree farmers to get the perfect christmas tree!