The Plesschers were ecstatic about the prospect of sending one of their trees to U.S. troops overseas.

 The Plesschers were ecstatic about the prospect of sending one of their trees to U.S. troops overseas.“It was an honor to be able to send a tree over there,” Laura said. “We got to send a little bit of U.P. Christmas all the way to Afghanistan.”

 Laura and Jason decided to send the Christmas tree free of charge in order to show their support for U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

 “It was the least we could do,” stated Laura.

 Though they were excited about being asked to provide a tree to soldiers in Afghanistan, they were also a bit worried that the tree might not arrive in Kandahar unharmed, or even arrive there at all.  They feared that a Christmas tree would not be allowed into the country.

 “We didn’t know if it was possible,” admitted Laura.

 The Plesschers consulted to the post office to see if there were any regulations against sending Christmas trees to military bases in Afghanistan.  Although there are restrictions on sending pork, pornography, Bibles in bulk, and living plants and animals, there are no specific rules against sending a tree that had already been cut.

 In theory, there was no reason why a Christmas tree should not arrive safely in Kandahar.  It was a theory that needed to be tested, though.  The Plesschers and Torres agreed that the wisest thing to do would be to send one trial tree in order to ascertain whether or not shipping trees to Afghanistan was feasible.

 The tree that the Plesschers chose for their experiment was a 5’6” Balsam Fir.  They sent it out on Tuesday, September 19, and against all odds, the tree arrived in Kandahar approximately 12 days later.

 “What a beautiful tree,” read Torres’ exuberant message, “It made its journey fine to Afghanistan all the way from America.  Everyone here is in joy to see something green.”

 The first attempt at sending a tree to Afghanistan went so well, that the Plesscher’s decided to donate another tree to Torres, as well as four more trees to another serviceman that had wanted to order them.

 Shipping a total of six trees to Afghanistan is no small accomplishment, especially since Christmas Tree Express is only a fledgling company in only its second year of business.

 The business was founded on the idea that buying trees online would be the most convenient way for many people to obtain Christmas trees.

 “In big cities people can walk down to a corner lot to buy a tree, but they still have to lug an 8 foot tree down four blocks to their apartment,” Jason explains.  “Our tree shows up at their apartment, and it’s all packaged.  All they have to do is put it in a tree stand and they’re all set.

 The Plesschers also believe that another advantage to selling trees online is that it ensures that their trees will be fresher than the average Christmas tree.  Most Christmas trees that are sold in lots and at convenience stores are cut somewhere between early October to early November.  In contrast, Christmas Tree Express trees are not cut until one or two days before they are shipped out.

 Perhaps these two advantages are the reason that the Christmas Tree Express has been able to sell Christmas trees to people in many different locales.

 “We’ve sent trees to Florida, Virginia, New York, Georgia, Kansas,” noted Laura.  “And Afghanistan.”

Readers may visit the Christmas Tree Express website at www.freshcutchristmastree.com

We just got it in!  What a beautiful tree........It made its journey fine to Afghanistan all the way from America..... Everyone here is in joy to see something green!  I cannot thank you enough! "I will take a picture of the tree with the soldiers today and send it too you.  Thanks again. -SSG Joel A. Torres II COPE Kandahar, Afghanistan

From all of us here with Task Force 2-5 we thank you and your company for the trees. The troops will greatly appreciate that. Xmas will be different for us this year being without family but it's good to know that everyone back home stands behind us. Once again thanks and we'll send the pictures. Thanks SFC Lowery "I want to say thanks from myself as well as every soldier with Tasf Force Infantry BN. We would like to wish all of you a very, very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year." - Darrell Lowery