Most years, we have the Christmas tree post here on Rant (heres a great one); the topic is a source of mild controversy among gardeners, mainly because of the sustainability angle. It breaks down this way:
Just buy a cut tree
Trees are an agricultural product and buying from a local tree farm usually means youre supporting a small independent business. The trees provide oxygen and wildlife habitat when theyre in the ground, a lovely scented focal point in the home, and then are recycled into municipal mulch in most communities (including mine). Win, win, win, win.
Buy a live tree and plant it
I have only one problem with thiswhere? This wont work for those of us who dont have a few acres sitting around empty waiting for evergreens to fill them up. But still, a nice idea, if you can do it. A quibblemost live trees I see are kind of puny.
Buy an artificial tree of some type
Personally, I hate these trees and think theyre kind of gross. However, I suppose there is a sustainability argument to be made, as they can be continually reused. But who made them, where were they made, and what are they made of? The answers to those questions can really undermine whatever benefit these trees have.
No tree at all
Actually, thats where I am now. We dont have kids, so we have the choice. We do have three mantelpieces and lots of other architectural features that will take lights and other dcor. I also have several large houseplants that are just about the size of most live trees; theyre tough enough to stand up to a little decorating once a year. So instead of focusing on a tree, I bring in bales of cut branches, which gives me the choice of many different types of evergreensjuniper, cedar, firs, pine, spruce, etc.
And then there are all the forced bulbs that are coming up from the root cellar now. I have so much stuff already growing in my house that it just doesnt seem necessary to haul in a cut tree. But I love visiting the beautifully decorated cut trees of my friends and relatives.
Via: No tree, no problem
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