Eco-Friendly Christmas Trees
November 23, 2007 by Jennifer
I know Thanksgiving was just yesterday but many people who celebrate Christmas start thinking about trees right away now; I figured we should start our eco-winter holiday thinking early.
There are lots of ways to green up your Christmas tree plans and still have a magical holiday.
Save trees by chopping them down: That sounds more violent than the reality but I wanted to get your attention. I’ve talked with people who think the best way to save a tree is to buy an artificial one.
However, artificial trees are far worse for the environment than cutting a real live tree down. Fake trees are made from mainly non-renewable plastics; some containing PVC. The toxins and other nasty chemicals needed to create artificial trees make them a bad green decision. Additionally, real trees can be mulched or used for heat where as artificial trees cannot be recycled.
Celebrate with a living tree: This is my favorite option because I like the idea of using a potted plant that you can later transfer to the earth. This makes the holidays merry for both families and the earth.
Go organic: Not all areas have organic Christmas tree farms but many do. If you can why not avoid a pesticide filled Christmas?
Use green decorations: Natural and sustainable decorations like cookies, pine cones, popcorn, and homemade clay are the best choices for a festive and green tree. For Christmas tree lights you should choose LED lights or solar powered lights.
Acorn Ornaments- Eco-friendly ornaments and other eco-Christmas fare at Green Eyed Frog (I like the palm leaf star).
- Massive amount of homemade ornament ideas — many made with found objects.
The tree-free Christmas:
There are other ways to bring a tree-filled Christmas to your home without the actual tree. For those looking to break the tree tradition we’ll be going over how leave the trees outside and still celebrate in style very soon; so stick around.
We have had an artificial tree for a million years so we will keep it for a million more. By taking good care of it, we have put this tree up since 1986. The tree that we had before that was an artificial tree my parents bought in 1968 and gave to us when they downsized after I was married.
You can find artificial trees at Salvation Army and Goodwill, or a garage sale, and by buying it and taking care of it you can keep it out of the landfill AND not have to buy a tree for a very long time.
Just another perspective.
I highly recommend the “celebrate with a living tree” option. I did this a few years ago, before I had a cat.
I gave it to my parents to plant and it’s still doing well. I believe it was a dwarf juniper.
How cool are these ideas?
I, too, have a hand-me-down artificial tree that I’ll use as long as humanly possible. (It was my mom’s.) Last night, however, we took the pine cones we’ve collected all year and decorated them with (I know, shoot me now!) glitter to find their way to the tree. It was a fantastic time for Jaden.
OK. I’m convinced. We’re going to do a living tree this year. I was worried because we don’t have a garden to plant one, but we have a wood near here and the local forester will help us find a place to plant it there.
Marye, Mysti, I agree that a well used artificial tree is fine. I just see lots of people who buy a new one every few years instead of taking care of the one they have. Mysti — I’m glad you and Jaden are already having a fun season too! Glitter rocks. Then we have Kate and Peggy both on the living tree side. Good as well. Good luck Kate.
we’ve always used live trees–some we’ve planted (on our palatial country estate), others we’ve decorated for the birds. When it’s pretty much decomposed, we have our annual burning of the tree bonfire.
I love the suggestions! Many of these are standards at my house, and have been since I was little; now, we’re continuing the tradition with my kids. One suggestion: use recycled paper (or paper you’re planning on recycling-newspapers, etc) and make origami ornaments. There are so many options and degrees of difficulty! Oh, and don’t forget the standard paper snowflakes!
I hope you had a great birthday, with many more in store! (early Merry Christmas, as well!)
Love the suggestions! Fair trade Christmas ornaments made from natural and recycled materials can also make great eco-friendly tree decorations or gift ideas. Small and inexpensive, they make great stocking stuffers, too.
I love the idea of a living tree but we are in an apartment with no property… I would go the recycled fake tree option, but we have no storage for it. How do you get someone to help you plant your living tree if you have no property? Looking forward to the non-tree options coming up!