112908samrudolph.jpgWhile most retailers are worried that Black Friday will leave them deep in the red, Christmas tree sellers are now sounding sanguine, with a perfectly objective source at the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association telling the Post, "In times like these, it's natural to fall back on events that are comfortable, like traditional holiday celebrations." Adding to the optimism is the fact that lower gas costs will mean cheaper trees than last year. And then there's the green angle; one forestry professor opines: "Purchasing a real Christmas tree is a great way to make a positive impact on the environment." Of course, trees are great for the environment when they're alive, so many environmentalists recommend buying a living tree. Which doesn't really fly in New York, since most of us don't have a place to plant them. So here are details on the city's annual MulchFest.