Christmas Trees
I know I know I know....its better to not have one at all~but in this household, that is just not an option. My dh is obsessed with holidays (the secular versions) and well, I'm married to him, sooo....
These questions are actually coming from him. He wants a tree, but wants to do it in the least harmful way.
What do you think is the lesser of two evils? Getting a live tree every year, or buying a fake tree and using it over and over again.
We live in NC and there are live tree farms everywhere that are replenished, and the trees don't have to travel far. but of course its killing trees. Yard waste here is turned in to mulch (I think) and the old trees can also be turned into bird habitats after the holidays.
If we get a platic one, we contribute to using petroleum based products, pollution, and the fact that its not recyclable when we are done with it when we are old. But, we're not killing a tree every year, and also it will save us $ in the long run.
what do you think!????
I need to decide soon, as dh likes to get his trees early :o
thanks!
I got a fake one, used it gently, and when I was done with it I sold it to one of my Aunts. My plan with the one that I currently have is somewhat the same - use it, be careful with it so it keeps looking good, then donate it to the Salvation Army or something so someone can keep using it (and hopefully not just throw it away), if one of my relatives doesn't want it.
Not the best solution in the world, I'm sure, but it works.
Cut real tree or live tree. Christmas trees are farmed like any other plant/vegetable. People own Christmas Tree Farms, plant new trees every year, cut down the ones they are "harvesting" that year. If they didn't replant for every tree, then they'd go out of business pretty quickly.
Other option would be to buy a live tree -- that is, one in a pot. Once Christmas is over, you plant it in your yard somewhere. They aren't very big, but if you're concerned about the sustainability of cut real trees, this may be an option.
I live in NC too and my partner and I have had a fake tree for many years. In fact we're on our second one.
Besides hating the idea of chopping down and killing trees for a religious icon I do not believe in (it's our pagan tree, or Winter Solstice tree), they are incredibly dangerous.
My father was a fireman when I was a kid, and every year, we'd hear horror stories of children dying when the house burned down after the tree caught fire. We collectively are notoriously stupid and careless about trees, lights, and candles , etc.
Do yourself, your family, and the earth a favor, and save a tree. Peace.
Cut real tree or live tree. Christmas trees are farmed like any other plant/vegetable. People own Christmas Tree Farms, plant new trees every year, cut down the ones they are "harvesting" that year. If they didn't replant for every tree, then they'd go out of business pretty quickly.
Other option would be to buy a live tree -- that is, one in a pot. Once Christmas is over, you plant it in your yard somewhere. They aren't very big, but if you're concerned about the sustainability of cut real trees, this may be an option.
thats something that i've been wanting to do! buy a tree in a pot, get a nice pretty pot to put it in and decorate it, then after the holidays, you can plant it. and i think thats the perfect time to plant fruit trees, if you want to get a different tree other than an evergreen.
Cut real tree or live tree. Christmas trees are farmed like any other plant/vegetable. People own Christmas Tree Farms, plant new trees every year, cut down the ones they are "harvesting" that year. If they didn't replant for every tree, then they'd go out of business pretty quickly.
Other option would be to buy a live tree -- that is, one in a pot. Once Christmas is over, you plant it in your yard somewhere. They aren't very big, but if you're concerned about the sustainability of cut real trees, this may be an option.
thats something that i've been wanting to do! buy a tree in a pot, get a nice pretty pot to put it in and decorate it, then after the holidays, you can plant it. and i think thats the perfect time to plant fruit trees, if you want to get a different tree other than an evergreen.
The one thing you have to think about with the "tree in a pot" is that you'll have to keep it in your house until spring in order to plant it. Otherwise the shock from going from a very warm environment to a frozen one will kill it.
I live in NC too and my partner and I have had a fake tree for many years. In fact we're on our second one.
Besides hating the idea of chopping down and killing trees for a religious icon I do not believe in (it's our pagan tree, or Winter Solstice tree), they are incredibly dangerous.
My father was a fireman when I was a kid, and every year, we'd hear horror stories of children dying when the house burned down after the tree caught fire. We collectively are notoriously stupid and careless about trees, lights, and candles , etc.
Do yourself, your family, and the earth a favor, and save a tree. Peace.
You aren't saving a tree by not having a real Christmas tree because they are a crop like wheat or broccoli. You wouldn't say "save a plant! don't eat broccoli!" unless, perhaps, you were a fruitarian (sp?).
There are certain safety rules you need to follow when having a tree in your home, though most of them are obvious. No lit candles around the tree, no lights with frayed wiring (this could cause problems even without a tree), keep the house a little cooler than normal to extend the life of the tree, water it daily, and when it starts dropping more needles than usual (you'll notice the increase), then you need to take it down. I see trees ending up in the trash until the END of January. That is definitely a hazard! My parents' tree is always down right after New Years (and lives in the cold garage until a few days before Christmas) unless it's an especially needle-spitting tree.
I'm totally for getting live Christmas trees. If you go to a local tree farm, and pick and chop down your own tree, you're supporting local agriculture and business. Plus, they smell so wonderful.
I would only get a plastic tree if I could find a used one (at a thrift store) in really good shape. I wouldn't buy one new.
hmmmmmm you've given me a lot to think about.
My dh would love to have the potted tree in the house until spring, I'm sure.
Keep your thoughts coming! I love the minds of vwers!!! :)>>> :)>>>
Live trees smell nice and all, and even with the fact that they're a crop, I still wouldn't get one. I think it's different to farm plants for food than to farm plants for decoration - plus, I like trees so much, even if there is an ample evergreen supply, I don't want to see one die in my house :'(
I think the potted tree is a cool idea. That way you can have a Christmas tree every year in your front/back yard... of course it would be harder to decorate though...
I found this, regarding replanting christmas trees: http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1996/11-8-1996/cmtree.html
I am pro-fake trees. They make nice ones now that look very real, and if it's the smell you're missing, you can light some pine incense or a candle (Balsam & Cedar yankee candle is great!). Some of the fakes with fiber optics in them are sooo pretty in the dark. Plus, no needles to clean up, and you save the annual cost of buying a tree.
This was the same thing I struggled with, Little2Ant! However, the last 2 years, we have found the perfect solution...a local ranch (New Mexico, just south of SW Colorado where we live) cuts trees every year to keep the forests healthy. Otherwise, they would need to do a controlled burn. The owners of the ranch are lesbians, liberal, etc. so I trust them! Ha,ha. I mean, I don't think they are just saying it like a typical ranch type person might. So anyway, we get a free and sustainably harvested tree from them each year.
If you don't have anything like that where you live, I guess it is a judgement call...good luck!! :)
If you go fresh definitely recycle it, here are some ways:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Nature-Community/2006-12-01/5-Ways-to-Recycle-Your-Christmas-Tree.aspx
http://www.christmastree.org/recycle2.cfm#vaccine
http://www.socyberty.com/Activism/Eight-Unique-Ways-to-Recycle-Your-Christmas-Tree.117223
http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s1-4-76-103,00.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_4523752_recycle-christmas-tree-plant-hanger.html
I realize some may be repeated but I really like the last idea.
My vote is for a fake tree. Our tree is fake. Mostly to save money in the long run & save ourselves the hassle of picking out a tree each year & taking it home.
I actually have horrible memories of going with my parents & sisters when I was kid & standing in the freezing cold walking from tree to tree while my indesive mom would say, "what do you think of this one? or how about that one?" and I wouldn't care, I just wanted to get back in the car because my toes were numb. And then we would have to get the tree in the house and it would be too big, or need trimming for some other reason & my dad would be losing his patience while my mom told him where to trim... it was just a whole big ordeal I didn't want.
So about 6 years ago Smooch & I picked out an artifical tree with the lights already on it. I love it!We keep it in the attic & every year have fun assembling our tree & decorating it right after thanksgiving. And we leave it up until after new years. And the dogs & cat never bothered with it like I've seen other animals pee on, eat, or knock over live trees. Plus, I don't have to worry about the needles falling all over.
Fake Tree!
For years my parents had real trees, which was okay, but then we inherited my grandmother's artificial one (which I now use!) and it's way less hassle, and if you pass it down like we have until the needles fall off... I think it's worth it. I mean, the tree I have is probably getting close to 50 years old... and it's seen a lot of memories, so I think that's great!
I don't have much other reason.... I don't feel bad for getting real trees... unless you count EXPENSIVE. They're grown specifically for that purpose, and then replanted. So they never diminish. You can also find lots of ways to dispose of it when it's done.
However, they die too quickly for my taste (I'm a day-after-Thanksgiving tree person!) and they make me nervous because as they start to die, the risk of fire increases. Most fake trees are very fire-resistant, and intended to be that way. Plus, it won't be in a landfill for generations, potentially! I think it's worth it. No fire, longer time for the tree to be in the living room, and less costly.
Oh, and it will ALWAYS fit. You never have to worry about getting it in the front door!
I'm totally for getting live Christmas trees. If you go to a local tree farm, and pick and chop down your own tree, you're supporting local agriculture and business. Plus, they smell so wonderful.
I would only get a plastic tree if I could find a used one (at a thrift store) in really good shape. I wouldn't buy one new.
Only drawback is sweeping up the fallen needles. But the smell is irreplaceable. My mother used to buy a big crate of oranges from the band and put them under the tree. The smell of orange peel and pine means "Christmas" to me.
If your tree is cut, make sure it doesn't dry out enough to be a fire hazard if your lights short or something.
LB and I always get a live tree. One either in a pot or balled & burlapped. You just need room to plant them outside once the season is past. We have never had a problem planting the tree in January either. We have five alive and healthy trees in our back yard. Year #1 does look sad but that is because deers love to nibble it! After that year we got smart and got vicious trees.
vicious trees.
Vicious?!?! Now, that is disconcerting! You get MEAN trees for Christmas?! I thought all Christmas trees were happy and friendly.
::)
I just couldn't help myself, it sounded so funny.... trees that are vicious.... like a psychopathic bunny or something.
vicious trees.
Vicious?!?! Now, that is disconcerting! You get MEAN trees for Christmas?! I thought all Christmas trees were happy and friendly.
::)
I just couldn't help myself, it sounded so funny.... trees that are vicious.... like a psychopathic bunny or something.
Yup, vicious. As i you have to wear gloves to decorate it or you end up with bloody hands! Not only does it deter deers from nibbling on it when placed outside it keeps the kitties from trying to climb it while its inside. Vicious is a good tree trait! Honest. Besides, they have slow reaction times so you can typically get away before it moves to hurt you too much. hahah
There are vicious bunny rabbits...go to foundmagazine.com and search "Bunnee."
i vote live tree. my parents have a fake one now and i hate it. it's just so..fake looking. also, since the trees are replenished by the growers, i think it's perfectly sustainable, as long as you properly dispose of your tree. i'd actually probably get a potted tree, but have nowhere to plant it (apartment dweller). and yeah, it's kind of dumb that the trees are farmed for decoration, but it's not hurting the environment. plus when it dies, it's sad like cut flowers dying, not like an animal or something. we use plants to decorate, ya know? it's just something we do. it's an appreciation of nature! i'm not going to stop cutting flowers for my apartment because it's wrong to use plants as decoration in my house. that just seems silly.
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