Fill in the Blanks AMC 12-U14Online version AMC 12月U14 reading by Clara Chen 1 awareness suburbs distress disappear profitable assembled adopted decorate dispose residents rituals wary occurrences environmental One of the most splendid of Christmas in the West is erecting a tree in the living room and decorating it brightly . The practice started in Europe in the 1500s and was in the US about 200 years ago . Up until the 1940s , most people cut down their trees from a nearby forest . As cities and replaced wooded areas , commercial Christmas tree farms sprouted up to grow into an entirely new industry . Every November for the past 80 years or so , tree farmers have been transporting forests' worth of trees to vacant lots to sell to local . Around the 1950s , artificial trees became popular , as their metal and plastic parts could be efficiently packed into boxes and at home , giving the public an easier option . Many consumers had reason to be of real trees , considering that they are highly flammable , and carelessness with the hot lights used to them can set branches alight . Real trees also create trouble when they're dragged outside after Christmas , as they drop dry needles all along the way . It is also a challenge to of real trees , which often requires a drive to the tree recycling center . More recently , concerns have become a factor . With an increase in forest fires , droughts , and floods , tree farmers are finding it more difficult to raise their trees and remain . Full - sized Christmas trees take about seven years to cultivate , and within that time , a number of weather can potentially wipe out a whole planting . Meanwhile , the artificial tree business is also in . With more consumers avoiding plastic , it's becoming commonplace to see homes without any kind of tree at Christmas time . Given the planet's changing climate and consumers' growing environmental , it seems that this centuries - old heritage could soon .
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