We can decorate the tree tonight – Kristin’s home. Taylor really wanted to wait until we’re all together. We’ve been into town to pick up a few things for Christmas Eve. The girls are making chili for supper. Kristin makes it with black beans (I use kidney), chicken (I use hamburg), corn (I don’t use corn), and tomatoes (I use sauce). I can’t wait to try it!
Each year we trek out into the woods or go to a tree farm to cut our Christmas tree. It’s a long-standing family tradition. I’m a fuss budget about our tree. When I was a kid we went to my great grandfather’s house in Lincoln. We went into the woods and looked up. Dad never cut a tree that was less than 20′ tall. Mum thought they looked great until they were on the ground. Dad usually cut a second and sometimes a third tree. We’d choose between the best of the three. That’s not to say there were three good trees. We chose the best of the bad. Dad cut branches off the other tree(s) to take home. At home he drilled holes in the trunks and crammed branches in. We proved that if you add enough garland and tinsel you can make Charlie Brown’s tree look like…Charlie Brown’s tree with a lot of garland and tinsel.
Our trees are seldom what I’d call perfect but they are always pretty. I’ve taught the girls to be fussy too. No holes, bare spots or wildly sticking out branches. It can’t be yellowing or losing needles. You can test the needles by grasping a branch firmly and pulling toward you. You shouldn’t have a lot of needles on your hand when you’re done.
Most importantly, we have a real tree.
- Real trees are grown by North American tree farmers or grow in forests. 85% of artificial trees are “Made in China.” We employ American and Canadian workers when we buy a real tree.
- Real trees clean the air we breath. An acre of Christmas trees cleans enough air for 18 people to breath easily every day by absorbing carbon dioxide. The production of artificial trees pollute the air we breath.
- Real trees are 100% natural and biodegradable. Many communities chip their trees for mulch. Trees break down on their own over time. Artificial trees are made of non-degradable materials that add more to landfills. They don’t last forever in your home but they do in the landfill. Our tree goes out to the birds after Christmas. We’ll tuck peanut butter and bird seed covered pine cones in the branches. When we had browsing livestock it went to them. I’m thinking about sinking the tree in our pond in the spring. Our rainbow trout don’t reproduce because something is missing in their environment. If the tree doesn’t create it, it will at least create protection and perhaps breeding ground for the other fish.
- Real trees are PVC and lead free. Artificial trees contain both. We work to protect our children from lead yet bring it into the home with our tree.
- Real trees are carbon neutral. As they decompose they add back to the soil. Artificial trees contain plastic, a petroleum byproduct. They add pollution to the soil.
- Real trees provide wildlife habitat. Artificial trees don’t.
- Real trees are renewable and sustainable. Artificial trees aren’t either.
If you need to find a place to recycle your tree you can find a list at Earth911.
Steve will be home soon. The decorations are in the livingroom. We’ll turn on Christmas music, make hot chocolate and decorate the tree. There are already presents under the tree (including my grain mill).
Filed under: agriculture | Tagged: artificial tree, Christmas tree, real tree, recycle Christmas tree, Sustainability
