Enviro Warrior - Wake up and smell the Homus ... then tread lightly upon the planet.

Alternatives to Live Christmas Trees

With Christmas almost upon us I thought I’d take a look at some of the more environmentally outrageous, wasteful traditions [like cutting down living trees], associated with the consumer driven 'festive season.' Perhaps looking at some of the alternatives on offer for those with an equally non-consumerist, eco-conscious, creative bent.

Traditions

Fir Trees began their association with Christianity almost 1,000 years ago, when St Boniface, originally converted the German people to Christianity. Coming across a group of ‘pagans’ worshipping an oak tree one day - in anger - St Boniface is said to have cut down the oak tree and to his amazement a young fir tree sprung up from the roots of the oak tree. St Boniface assumed this as a sign of the Christian faith.

But it was not until the 16th century – with the rise of a wasteful bourgeoisie class of society - that fir trees were first dragged indoors at Christmas time and decorated as a matter of wealth and social standing.

The facts

With approximately 30-35 million living Fir trees cut down in the US alone every year, environmentalists grow more and more concerned at the need to continue possibly outmoded traditions, in the face of annihilation and continued decimation of the planet upon which we breathe and stand. Whilst it is true there are about 21,000 Christmas Tree growers in the U.S today with commercial farms to compensate, it is also true that it takes as many as 15 years to grow a tree of average retail sale height approx. two metres (6 - 7 feet), with the average commercial growing time around seven years. However, it is also true that a population of 12 billion is expected by the turn of the century, far exceeding the earth’s capacity to supply such a demand, for no other use than to die over a period of a week releasing large amounts of stored CO2 into households throughout the world. It is sensible to expect that growing food may be more essential a market by 2100 than dying Christmas trees.

In a world that is slowly beginning to die around us, it makes sense to seek out alternatives to cutting down anything that is living and converting CO2 into oxygen. If you are one of these new age thinkers I salute you and I would like to offer some creative alternatives for your Christmas Trees of the future.

It takes only one (1) acre of growing Christmas trees to produce the daily oxygen for 18 people.

Some Alternatives to Cut Christmas Trees

1. Grow a Fir, Pine or Spruce Tree in the Garden and Decorate it each year.

This is not a new idea and is an excellent activity for the children, which encourages them to be outside in the fresh air. Before you select a tree, make sure it likes your climate. Balsam firs are magnificent, for example, but they'll do well only in cold climates. Also, know the tree's mature size. An adorable five-foot tree could wind up reaching 60 feet high and 30 feet wide.

It will grow with your children and become a poignant memory of home. As the tree gets bigger it remains a source of endless fun for the children to climb it each year in order to decorate it.

You can leave the lights on all year round if you going to use them, although there are alternative solar lights available on the market which are nice alternative to conventional electricity – especially in places like Australia.

2. Potted Dwarf Christmas Trees by the Score

A living breathing tree is not only better to look at, it is working for you absorbing CO2 and not likely to be discarded after Christmas, when it can continue to oxygenate your home, balcony or courtyard long after the yule-tide has passed again for another year. Like many others you can choose to plant your living tree at Easter, the season of death and rebirth, as part of a new tradition of remembrance.

There are many varieties of dwarf conifers that comes in pots and grow to various heights. Check your nursery for the latest varieties.

3. Cloth and Recycled ‘Junk’ Christmas Trees.

A project for the whole family, making your own Christmas tree can become a great tradition, especially if you get the whole family in on the fun. Andrea of joytotheplanet says:

“… What recycled material will you use this year? When you succeed in building an especially great tree, you can keep it and reuse.

The only rule here is: use your imagination. How about a beautiful clear tree made from used water bottles, or a wooden tree from scrap lumber? Empty egg cartons, old computer parts, any kind of "junk” from your yellow recycling bin, can be made into a cool and
unique "tree." Talk about the true meaning of Christmas!...”

4. Inflatable, Neon and Wall Hanging Christmas Trees.

Amongst the newest ideas on the planet for cut tree alternatives are inflatable Christmas trees. They are good looking can be decorated, and fold away when you’re finished celebrating.

You could also try a nice Neon Christmas Tree which takes care of both the twinkling lights and need for a Christmas Tree all in one hit.

Alternatively, there is the newest homely trend of awesome Christmas Tree Wall hangings which not only add the necessary touches to your lounge-room for Christmas, but are super easy to store and some are made in plastic canvas and come with little lights!

Why not make your own? …try this LINK for a page of patterns and ideas.

5. Bonsai Christmas Trees

If your space is limited these are a must for you. They last a long time, and again, because they are living trees, using them at Christmas will help the planet immensely.

5. Why Not Go Troppo?

For those in the tropics, why not consider decorating a completely different kind of tree? Perhaps you could use a small artificial or hand made fir tree with a star on the top to continue the traditional symbolism… go troppo, get creative… tis the season to be jolly..

Remember : Axed Trees are Dying Trees!

WARNING : Your cheaper, typical artificial Christmas tree (found by the dozen in discount stores) is generally made from PVC or plastic based materials which are NOT good for the environment when found in landfills, so avoid them, unless you intend to reuse it year after year, as your family establishes itself a 'Merry Tree Free' family.

Sources and photos :
http://www.christmastree.org/statistics_industry.cfm
http://www.christmas-tree.com/where.html
http://www.joytotheplanet.com/3/bonus.html

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December 20th 2006 @ 05:52

Posted By: Lilla - Category: Environmental

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Comments

19 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

From The Home Front
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1. December 20th 2006 @ 06:51. Lilla Says:

Great Minds Think Alike and for a really creative Christmas Tree idea from MelissaA, visit this LINK

Cheers,
and Merry Christmas Everyone!

Lilla...

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2. December 20th 2006 @ 06:54. katyzzz Says:

Lilla,

I love a REAL christmas tree, your suggestions for a potted or bonsai one would suit me, in the garden when I have my own big house and garden again sounds good too. Thanks for giving alternatives rather than haurangeing [sp] us just not to do it.

Good work,

katyzz, I love all the baubles and glitz but they keep year after year after year

Learning Something Everyday

3. December 20th 2006 @ 07:15. Jessicca Says:

Hi Lilla,

Good information about Christmas Trees. I have a tiny plastic Christmas Tree that I use every year and it's been 6 years now. ^_^

Yes, real fir trees are awesome idea, however it may not be easy to get it in many countries. Neon trees are really cool but dangerous as we need to hang it in a place that it won't easily drop and break.

My favorite from your article would be the bonsai Christmas trees. It meets well with the limited space I have, and thus it is alive, yes... ALIVE!

Jessicca

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4. December 20th 2006 @ 07:38. Lilla Says:

Thanks KatyZZZ,

I'm glad that although you love the real thing, you are open to alternatives... yes, you will get there, don;t worry ... keep following that dream...

I will see you at your place before I knock of for my holiday...

Caio belle
Lilla...

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5. December 20th 2006 @ 07:39. Lilla Says:

Bonsai, Jessica, Bonsai...

Have a Merry one!

Lilla...

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6. December 20th 2006 @ 11:17. MelissaA Says:

Thanks for the link Lilla, and I have to say I just love the banana Christmas tree you've got going there! ; )

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7. December 20th 2006 @ 20:18. Lilla Says:

Aah MelissaA,

...it is also my favourite one too....*lol*

most welcome for the link, as I said, great minds think alike...

Cheers, have a very Merry one
Lilla...

Always Eighteen

8. December 22nd 2006 @ 00:06. Always Eighteen Says:

The last photo is funny! Hehe. I wouldn't mind hanging that up for Christmas.

Lilla is it environmentally friendly to use one of those plastic trees, if you keep it for years and years?

From The Home Front
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9. December 22nd 2006 @ 02:07. Lilla Says:

Hi AE,

Yes, I think it is...? We use one now for 12 years and when we've finished with it, it goes back up in the attic.

Why, do you think they leach carbons into the atmosphere over time...?

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10. December 22nd 2006 @ 02:53. Ashish Says:

i want full of gadgets and laptops and a WI-MAx star lol

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11. December 22nd 2006 @ 06:57. Lilla Says:

Sounds grreat Ashish,

*lol* Please post me a photo when you have put it together.... soundz cool!

Lilla...

Always Eighteen

12. December 23rd 2006 @ 03:44. Always Eighteen Says:

haha yeah good point.

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13. December 23rd 2006 @ 23:49. Lilla Says:

Hi Ae,

I just re-read your comment, and then mine... I miss read it originally, sorry. I have changed my comment to YEs I think it is safe to use an artificial tree and no I cannot find any information to the contrary if you don't have a new one each year that is... otherwise it is waste...

Yeah... I love the Banana Christmas Tree and would love one in the garden too!

)

Lilla...

IT Business Analysis

14. December 24th 2006 @ 01:44. Ashish Says:

I wish, We dont have christmas in my religion and what i told is my imagination.

But if i did have a tree someday will send u a picture for sure.Thx

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15. December 24th 2006 @ 06:54. WeR1Family Says:

Hi Lilla!
What a beautiful post!
I didn't realize before that Christmas tree can become a commercial industry and bring devastation to our Mother Earth

I am wondering if we can make the related companies understand the situation. So that at least, they will stop selling 'dead trees', and replace it with potted 'living trees'. Making more money and also saving the environment.

This post is a nice information that everyone should be aware of.

From The Home Front
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16. December 24th 2006 @ 07:34. Lilla Says:

Thank U WeR1Family,

...the more people realise this, the better for the earth and all the creatures living upon it... including us... wouldn't it be marvelous if there was never another tree cut down for this purpose...as you say... just living potted magic everywhere...

bliss...
Lilla...

17. December 29th 2006 @ 07:39. LaurenD Says:

I just saw this gorgeous post. Good on ya, girl!

I've got a cypress and i'm planting it next week.

LaurenD

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18. December 29th 2006 @ 11:15. Lilla Says:

Good on you Ren, (can I call you that - saves keystrokes late at night when I'm pooped)...

anyway, it will give you much joy for many years... much, much joy...

...like my kitten of two christmas' ago... a gift that just keeps on giving....

Time for bed I think...

Cheerio

Lilla...

19. December 29th 2006 @ 11:40. LaurenD Says:

Thanks, Lilla. It's very true. And yes, you can call me Ren.