O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! How are thy leaves so verdant!
The Christmas season is upon us. Winter’s nip is in the air and the sound of carols may be heard all around. It’s time to light up our houses in preparation for the shortest days of the year. While the centrepiece of holiday decoration is typically the Christmas tree, you may be questioning whether or not to “keep it real”.
For some the choice may be obvious. Personally, I could not imagine a Christmas dinner without the scent of spruce or pine wafting from the next room. The sheer power of tradition has kept this seasonal ritual alive for centuries.
The perceived benefits of artificial trees, however, have driven many to introduce Pinus plasticus into their homes.
There is certainly an appeal to the ease of storage and set-up of artificial trees. Gone are the worries about tree transportation, fit, or the mess of fallen needles. Depending on the cost of an artificial tree and how long it is kept, there may be a financial incentive for going plastic. From an ecological and social perspective, however, real trees are the obvious choice.
There is a lingering myth that artificial trees represent a reduction in ecological footprint, simply because they can be reused. The reality is that, as a petroleum-based product, they are non-renewable. Even if made from recycled or partly recycled materials, the majority of artificial trees consist of non-biodegradable, non-recyclable polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which will ultimately end up in landfills, where the ghosts of Christmas past will haunt generations to come. Real trees, in contrast are 100% biodegradable and completely renewable.
Commercial Christmas trees are not harvested at the detriment of healthy forests, but rather grown in plantations with the end-use in mind. Christmas tree farms generally make use of degraded or unproductive land not suitable for other types of forestry or agriculture. While artificial trees are predominantly produced in China and shipped tens of thousands of kilometres, the distribution of tree farms across Canada makes it easy to shop locally.
As they grow, Christmas trees filter the air, absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the atmosphere, at the same time providing valuable habitat for wildlife. For every tree harvested, multiple trees are planted to provide a sustainable supply for the farmer. This ensures stable tree cover on the landscape and constant uptake of carbon dioxide over time. Unlike artificial trees, real Christmas trees need not find themselves in a landfill. Most municipalities have a mulching program for used Christmas trees. The mulch can be used in local greening projects. Old trees can also be used for firewood to reduce heating costs. Contact your local municipality to find out what will be done with your discarded tree. The value of the Christmas tree industry for local economies cannot be ignored.
[In 2009] 1.8 million Christmas trees were produced nationwide, to a tune of $37.5 million. Many Christmas tree sales also help support charitable organizations such as The Boy Scouts.Last but not least, the process of choosing and setting up your real Christmas tree can be a valuable family or community experience. In my family it was important that every member have a say, and a hand in the selection and decoration (even the cat would contribute, though most often destructively).
Many tree farms provide the option to harvest your own tree. If you have the time and interest you can further foster the tradition of tree collection and create a valuable outdoor experience for yourself and your family.
Whether you’re planning a Griswold vacation or a Charlie Brown Christmas, consider opting for a real, homegrown tree this holiday season.
Visit the Canadian Christmas Tree Growers Association at www.canadianchristmastrees.ca for more information about Christmas tree selection and care, or to find a Christmas tree producer near you.
Mike Halferty
The Forestry Chronicle
