Should You Buy a Live Tree This Christmas?
By Marilyn Shy, Kalkaska Conservation District
Perhaps you are thinking that an artificial tree this year is the conservation-minded thing to do. After all, it can be reused. And reusing is good, right? And killing a live tree, even though it smells heavenly, even though the kids love going out and helping you choose one, would be a bad thing to do, right?
Well, not exactly. It really is not that simple.
There are many good reasons, conservation and otherwise, to buy a live tree.
A live tree comes from a tree farm where all of the trees have been taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen for 8-12 years while they are growing. And in the spring of the year after you have enjoyed your tree, it will be replaced by another seedling tree, planted along with thousands of others, at a local Christmas tree farm. Huge tracts of land are planted to new baby firs, spruces and pines every year, which clean the air for years until they are harvested.
At the current time there are about 350-500 million Christmas trees growing on tree farms in the US. But only about 30 million trees are harvested for Christmas each year. Buying real trees helps to keep tree farms in business. By purchasing a live tree you are helping a local grower, and you are supporting your area’s local economy.
Much of the manufacturing of artificial trees takes place in China, and it takes a lot of energy and resources to create and transport them to the US. And no matter how many years it is used, an artificial tree will get thrown away and ultimately will end up in a landfill, where it takes 500+ years to break down the plastic or other synthetic materials used to make it. In the US, around 10 million artificial trees are purchased each season. That’s a lot of plastic to end up in the landfill!
Taking a plastic tree out of storage each year isn’t quite the same as heading outdoors and bringing home a fresh, live tree. Choosing a tree is a fun December activity to do with children, friends or other family members. Little ones love getting outside and helping to pick the perfect tree to decorate. And the smell of a fresh Christmas tree might be the most magical thing of all.
In addition, you can recycle your tree after Christmas by placing it as a shelter or escape cover near your bird feeder. The birds will love it! Another fun activity with kids is to “redecorate” your tree for the birds and other wildlife. First, make sure all of the tinsel, garland, and any other ornaments are removed. Next, you can roll pinecones in peanut butter and then birdseed to create special new ornaments, made especially for the birds. Then sit back and watch the fun!
And if you want to go the extra mile and buy a live, potted tree, you can plant it in the spring and enjoy it for years to come. But whether you buy a cut tree, or one with roots, consider a live tree to celebrate the holidays. You and your family will enjoy it as well as helping the environment!