It Doesn’t Get Any Greener than a Living Christmas Tree

There is much debate back and forth about whether real trees or artificial trees are the most sustainable choice for the season.  Each have their positive aspects and their drawbacks.  Real trees encourage an industry that plants thousands of trees every year and all of the environmental benefits that come with planting trees.  Downsides include the potential use of harmful pesticides and the fact that many trees end up in a landfill at the end of the year rather than being recycled for mulch or compost.  Artificial trees have the benefit of lasting for many years so that repeated purchase is not necessary.  Unfortunately, most plastic trees are made with petroleum based products and often shipped from overseas countries thousands of miles away.

What is an eco-minded individual to do?  The greenest option is to purchase a living tree that can be planted in your yard after the holiday season is over.  Rather than packing up or disposing of the tree you will have something that you can enjoy for many years to come and you’ll be improving the environment!

If you choose a living tree, there are several considerations that you need to make.  First, be sure to select a tree species that will grow in your climate zone.  Second, dig the hole for the tree in the fall before the ground freezes and makes digging impossible.  Third, minimize the amount of time the tree spends indoors.  It is best to limit having the tree in your warm house to no more than 5-7 days.  Finally, help your tree acclimate to the temperature changes.  Keep the tree in your garage for one or two days prior to bringing it in the house and then do the same thing before taking it outside to plant.

If your property is large enough, you can make this a yearly tradition.  You and your family will enjoy watching your trees grow and your collection expand year after year.