I recently had a friend ask my opinion on whether or not she should buy a real Christmas tree or one of the artificial variety. Which one is better for the environment? I imagine it’s a fairly common question and one I had myself not too long ago. The true green answer is not to buy either, but I’m no Grinch, and for those that celebrate Christmas, that’s not a very jolly answer.
Intuitively, you’d think that cutting down trees would be an unsustainable pratice. After all, deforestation does account for nearly 20 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. But in reality, almost all Christmas trees are grown on tree farms, and after they are cut, they’re replanted. It’s pretty much a renewable resource! When you’re done with them, you can throw them through a wood chipper or find someone who will.
As far as artificial trees are concerned, they do last several years, but eventually their time will come to go to the big landfill on Staten Island. Most are made of PVC, a harsh plastic that isn’t easily recycled and one that has raised some red flags in the health & safety departments. Another friend I was talking to about this on Friday night at the bar (I’m really fun on a night out, I swear) said people actually spray their fake trees with pine scent! Aerosol, of course. I think we can all agree there is nothing merry about that.
That being said, if you already have a fake tree, I’m mandating you use it for the rest of your candy-cane eating days (only no pine spray). Or, if you feel suddenly liberated to buy a real tree, sell your fake one on craigslist or make sure it finds a good home. Given what we know, you should still ask your local tree salesman where the trees are from and make sure it’s local. There are plenty of tree farms in PA and NY. But also ask whether or not the farm uses pesticides. Sometimes they’re used liberally because people aren’t eating the trees (I hope) like they do other crops.
Don’t you just love it when the most festive option is also the greenest? Now go out there and make Santa proud!
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Another idea for using a fresh tree after Christmas is to set it in the yard and fill it with bird feeding materials so the birds have a food source for the winter. Or you can buy a live tree with a root ball and then plant it after Christmas…….providing the ground is not frozen!
A live tree with a root ball is a great option if you have enough space to plant it later.
I would just like you to know that I have recently adopted the 3ft fake tree my parents used to put in their study for my own holiday decorating. Now in his second home, I do believe my little tree has been around for 10+ holiday seasons.
I have been so bewielderd in the past but now it all makes sense!