Real vs Fake Christmas Trees
posted by Melissa Breyer Dec 9, 2010 6:08 pmfiled under: Garden & Nature, Christmas, Easy Greening, Green Home Decor, Holidays & Gifts, Nature & Wildlife, Reduce, Recycle & Reuse, real vs fake
As a kid growing up in Los Angeles I was always attracted to the Christmas lots that had trees frosted with pink or turquoise fake snow. (What were they thinking?) I have yet to see those special specimens since, but it’s no surprise that as an adult I lean toward non-traditional trees. Part of that is just my stubborn attraction to the unique, but much of it stems from my feelings for trees.
Although I know that Christmas trees are farmed like any other harvested plant, it still makes me sad to think of those noble little guys whacked down for my temporary pleasure. But my humble homemade feather tree is starting to molt—and I wonder if it’s time to join the 29 million American households who will buy a fresh cut tree this year? Or should I opt for an artificial tree? How about a living tree that will take a Christmas miracle of its own to actually end up planted in my garden? To forego a tree altogether is way too bah-humbug for me, so what is the greenest Christmas tree option?
Next: Greening your Christmas tree
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87 comments add your comment9.5367431640625E-7 [render:contentloaded] => 0.0034010410308838 [render:tokensbuilt] => 0.0034329891204834 [render:end] => 0.0034389495849609 ) -->
- Linda L. says
- Dec 10, 2010 8:43 AM
I don't care if your Christmas tree is real or fake-just keep your Christmas SPIRIT real!
I do want to know enviromentally healthy ways to get rid of old artificial ones though.
- Barb F. says
- Dec 10, 2010 8:41 AM
I agree with P.L.T.
"If one simply MUST adhere to this inane and wasteful ritual, a permanent live tree is the only ethical option. Where there's a will (to be creative and respectful of our environment, including trees) there's a way!"
If a ritual to be done, I like the idea of the decorated live plant that remains to be alive.
Just my personal opinion, a question always in my mind, the concept disturbing to me, "Why does the celebrations and rituals of holidays whose names get written upon calenders mandate the mass slaughter of a once living being, animal, plant, etc?" I disagree with the concept, there is zero need to end the lives of turkeys, hams, trees, pumpkins, so many other once living species, mass slaughter is part of celebration???????? Nope, don't understand how ppl who profress it is a time of love, caring, sharing, respect, which imo should be done everyday, are accepting of the mass slaughter and death of living animals, plants, trees, rather morbid imo. I'm opposed to the giving of cut flowers for any "calender day" as well, the sentiments of "I love you", "my condolences", "because you're special", hey, here's a freshly murdered beautiful plant that in a short time will be looking as dead as it actually, not one damn thing "beautiful" about it.
"We must kill something in order to celebrate", I shall never agree with this concept in general.
- Zuzanna P. says
- Dec 10, 2010 8:40 AM
Hm, we always have real trees. Every year we forget about the tree, so in the last moment I go with my brother to buy a leftover tree, which usually don't look very nice, but it's fun to search. Anyways, this year dad will cut just the top of a tree which is growing in our garden.
- Lois K. says
- Dec 10, 2010 8:20 AM
My mom had a fake tree all through my childhood. By the time we disposed of it when I was around 12 or 13, it was looking pretty ragged. But I have fond memories of watching my mom get the tree out of the box each year, and then helping her decorate it with our mostly handmade ornaments.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of trees. The cool thing about artificial ones is that they come in different colors--pink, blue, white, purple, even black--to match anyone's decor or weirdness level! Also, you can hang them upside-down. :o]
- Rebeca C. says
- Dec 10, 2010 8:20 AM
In Mexico we have a company that will rent you the tree, live and in a pot! You can buy it at the end of the season if you want to keep it, it not, they pick it up and plant it in a forest. I think it's a brilliant idea
- Tamara H. says
- Dec 10, 2010 8:19 AM
In some of the Nat'l Forests they are happy to have you cut your own tree as part of fire mitigation. The fee is minimal (~$10). Check your local area.
- Robert B. says
- Dec 10, 2010 8:12 AM
For years we would find a lot that was going to be cleared for a building and we would cut a tree from it, since it was going to be destroyed anyway. When we moved to a house with a large lot we had a lot of cedar seedlings that kept popping up. We just let them grow and when they are big enough we cut them for use as a Christmas tree. Then we recycle them. There's just something about a real tree.
- Kaye S. says
- Dec 10, 2010 8:12 AM
About 5 years ago we got a 4-foot potted pine and planted it afterward. It's now 30 feet tall and beautiful, but there are only so many times you can repeat that process on a 60-by-120-foot lot. Still, a fake tree? Factory-made facsimiles emanating a scent of plastic instead of the pungency of pine or spruce, branches dusted with dust instead of snow? No, no, no. I could never agree to a plastic pretender when there are so many alternatives without it coming to that sad state.
For instance: Any big potted plant with sturdy branches—I've used hibiscus, especially pretty when it's in bloom, and avocado—can make a great Christmas tree. A lovely, starkly sophisticated and appropriately wintry solution is a simple gathering of bare branches hung with ornaments. It's also about as green and cost-efficient as can be—simply gather dead branches, anchor in a bucket of sand and gravel, et voilà! Time to decorate.
Other years, I've just used trimmings from pruning my evergreens to distribute greenery all around the room, tucked among candles on the mantle, draped along shelves and windowsills, made into swags and wreaths for doors and windows. Then I distribute the tree ornaments likewise around the room and make a special spot for the presents. With Christmas in every corner, we never miss the tree.
- Pam C. says
- Dec 10, 2010 8:10 AM
I have a 50ish year old mid-century tinsel tree, 3 of them actually and age appropriate decorations. It's amusing, a delight for my grandchild and myself since I found them over the past 5 years and kept them out of the land fill. Killing trees just makes me sad and these relics from the atomic era are as green as I can get.
- PL T. says
- Dec 10, 2010 8:00 AM
If one simply MUST adhere to this inane and wasteful ritual, a permanent live tree is the only ethical option. Where there's a will (to be creative and respectful of our environment, including trees) there's a way!
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I have always loved the smell of fresh trees and have bought them for many years. Now however, my allergies have started to flareup with a real tree in the house. This might be the last year for having a real tree.
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