Living Christmas Trees
The Most Environmentally Friendly Option For the Holidays
Buying or renting a live tree is the best way to preserve the environment and still enjoy a traditional Christmas. Plant in the back yard or donate to a nonprofit group.
It isn’t Christmas without a tree. But artificial trees create a huge carbon footprint. Real trees are a better answer but are they as environmentally friendly as they could be? How best to get an ecologically sound Christmas tree? Buy or rent a live Christmas tree.
Artificial and Freshcut Trees
Eliminating the artificial tree is easy. Many are made in China, where contamination issues have recently been exposed, and all are made from petroleum products. The combination of long transport distances, the potential for exposure to contaminants and wasting precious resources in their production make this the option to reject outright.
The next possibility is a real tree. But for many people a real tree comes from a significant distance, creating a bigger carbon footprint than the ecologically minded person would like. And, although many end up as mulch, their ecological value is limited once they are cut down. Luckily there is a third option, one that is becoming more and more popular every year.
Live Christmas Trees Keep on Giving
Like freshcut real trees, live Christmas trees help remove carbon from the environment and provide a home and food for wildlife while they are growing. Better yet, they end up right back on the job when they are replanted after the holidays. So while live trees may not be the cheapest alternative, they are by far the best ecologically.
Imagine continuing to enjoy the beauty of a Christmas tree all year round. Think of the wildlife that might visit to nest or feed every year. Within a short time there will be enough trees to make a windbreak or shield the house from the neighbors.
If planting a tree at home is not an option, donating it to a watershed management or conservation group is another way of helping the environment. There is bound to be a group nearby that has a program for planting trees that would welcome a donated Christmas tree, but be sure to look into this before buying. There may be specific types of trees that can or can’t be used in the area.
Finally, consider renting a live Christmas tree. This way all the benefits of a living tree are there without the hassle of caring for it throughout the rest of the year. Some of the companies that sell real freshcut and live Christmas trees also provide the option of renting rather than purchasing. For people in the Portland, Oregon area, the Original Living Christmas Tree Company offers just such a deal. Check with freshcut Christmas tree companies or garden centers nearby to see what choices are available elsewhere.
Then celebrate the holidays with a live Christmas tree.
