Is “Waste ‘much time’ and ‘many trees’” a set phrase?

Question

I saw the phrase, “Much air time and many trees have been wasted” in the article of New York Times (March 24) titled, “The Outsourced Party.” It begins with the following sentence:

“Who speaks for the Republican party? The answer is that everyone does — and therefore, no one does.

Much air time and many trees have been wasted trying to explain the division, rancor and lethargy that have beset the Republican nominating campaign, now into its second year and threatening to run all the way to the party’s national convention in late August. But it’s no great mystery.”

I am amused with the combination of “air time “and “trees.” I can understand “waste (air) time.” I can relate 'time' to 'money', but am puzzled why “trees". “ I checked GooglNgram and found no entry of “waste much time and many trees.”

Is “waste much time and many trees” a set phrase? What does “trees” represent for here?

Answer 1

No, it's not an idiom (or set phrase). In this case "Much air time and many trees have been wasted" means that a lot has been broadcast (TV, radio, etc) and printed (newspapers, magazines) about this issue. The trees represent the paper that was used to print the newspapers and magazines.

So, the sentence could be reworded (less colorfully):

A lot has been broadcast and printed trying to explain (unsuccessfully) the division, rancor and lethargy that have beset the Republican nominating campaign, now into its second year and threatening to run all the way to the party’s national convention in late August.

Answer 2

It is not a set phrase. Air time refers to time spent on broadcasting the matter on radio or television. As paper is made from trees, waste many trees means too much material has been published on the matter.

Answer 3

Trees are a precursor of paper. If a great deal has been printed, then many trees will have had to be felled to make the paper, to no useful purpose.