Our artificial Christmas tree has once again taken up pride of place in
our living room (as of the end of November). This is it's 25th year.
It was made in Canada (which I don't see anymore). Our decision to go
with an artificial tree was not primarily environmental, but because it
tends to be up for over a month each year, and some years is left
unattended for days at a time.
It has received two major repairs in that time, and a major conversion
to LED lighting about 4 years ago. It is festooned with ornaments we
have received from friends and family over the years, mementos of major
events in our family's life, and the annual memory ornaments I have
written about previously on this list.
Unlike the the live trees that come and go each year, this one has its
own history and memories for our family. I trust it will continue to be
part of our lives for years to come.
Another approach to a re-usable (fake) tree that is more environmentally
friendly.
http://boutique.cascades.com/ca/en/catalog/christmas-trees/massimo/
Another take on the fake vs. real discussion:
http://www.nowtoronto.com/lifestyle/story.cfm?content=178219
Darryl
On 13/12/2013 8:53 AM, Keith Addison wrote:
<http://livinggreenmag.com/2013/12/09/home-garden/the-great-annual-christmas-tree-debate-real-vs-artificial-aka-fake/>
The Great Annual Christmas Tree Debate: Real vs. Artificial (aka Fake)
December 9, 2013
By Richard Kujawski, Managing Editor
Decorating for the holidays often involves a Christmas tree. Each year,
Americans buy about 30 million real trees and about 13 million fake
ones. However, since artificial trees are usually reused, the number of
artificial trees actually strung up each year is about 50 million.
But which choice is greener-cutting down a living tree that sequesters
carbon, or buying a plastic one from China that could last 6 or more
years but still end up in a landfill? The right environmental choice
may not be clear-cut.
Brief History of the Artificial Tree
The first artificial tree, according to some source, is the wooden
tree-shaped pyramid with candles built by a church in Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania in 1747. But much more attention was paid to the feather
trees first built in the 1880s in Germany, where deforestation
encouraged an alternative to the traditional tannenbaum. Feather trees
were made of green-dyed goose feathers attached to wire branches around
a thin wooden post that served as the tree trunk. Candles and ornaments
were also hung.
Then in 1930 the Addis Brush Company created an artificial Christmas
tree made from the same animal-hair bristles used for their toilet
brushes, but dyed green. The bristle trees were less flammable and
sturdier than feather trees.
Aluminum trees showed up around 1958 and were sold for about 20 years.
Ironically, they were most popular in 1965, when A Charlie Brown
Christmas aired for the first time. The negative treatment of the tree
and poor Charlie Brown changed the public's mind about their cool factor.
Today, most artificial trees are made of petroleum-based PVC, with
carcinogens produced during production. Fake trees may also contain
lead that can be spread indoors. If pre-decorated, they can't be
recycled at the end of their lifecycle.
What the Trade Groups That Represent Christmas Trees Have to Say
Both trees have plusses and minuses in the eco-footprint department. And
who better to talk about each tree's strength (and point out the
shortcomings of the other) than their respective trade associations.
The National Christmas Tree Association (www.realchristmastrees.org)
represents the farms and growers of real tree. The website doesn't say
much about artificial trees except that "Real Christmas Trees are not
just fragrant and beautiful, they are also better for the environment
than fake trees, inexpensive, safe, easy to care for, and an excellent
choice for your family's traditional Christmas celebration."
The White House Christmas Tree is real, as the site points out, and the
nonprofit supports Trees for Troops, which will provides18,000 free,
farm-grown Christmas Trees to armed forces members and their families in
the U.S. and overseas. The selecting, caring for, and recycling of a
real tree is explained on the site.
The American Christmas Tree Association
(www.christmastreeassociation.org) represents the interests of the
artificial trees in this country-which have about an 85 percent chance
of having been made in China. Their site has lots of "scare" content
about real trees catching fire, and making sure bugs aren't in that real
tree you were just about to buy. What is not mentioned is the fact that
nearly all fake trees are made from harmful plastics that are
non-recyclable.
(To find an artificial tree made in the USA, do an internet search for
"Artificial Christmas trees made in USA."
Pros and Cons
So which tree is naughty and which is nice? Many experts point out that
the carbon footprint and overall environmental impact is minimal
compared to what's caused by our daily driving. So you could do penance
for a few days by biking or carpooling and then enjoy the rest of the
holiday season.
Perhaps the real choice to make is: Which will bring more enjoyment and
happiness. For some, the guilt of cutting down a tree drives them
toward fake needles, which can also be more convenient. For others, the
thought of replacing natural with artificial is not their idea of a
joyous noel.
However, for those ruled by their head and not their heart, here are
some factoids gathered from various sources, including the New York
Times, EarthTalk, and Earth911.
* Real trees are primarily grown on farms to minimize deforestation.
These farms are often marginal for crops but work for trees, and
preserve green spaces. However, pesticides and chemicals are used to
some amount.
* Real trees generate oxygen and absorb carbon from the air while
alive. Artificial trees create factory pollution.
* Real trees are often recycled into mulch. They also leave a mess of
needles, and require regular watering-especially if you want to minimize
needle loss.
* Artificial trees cost more then real trees of the same size, but tend
to cost less in the long run because they can be used for 6-10 years.
And more money is saved with a pre-decorated tree if you don't already
have a tree stand, lights, and ornaments.
* Artificial trees are made of PVC plastic and eventually go to a
landfill. On the other hand, you save driving around each year looking
for the right tree. And an artificial tree can be left up all year,
saving the time of packing and unpacking it.
* The environmental impact of a real tree is less than an artificial
tree, but still very small.
Consider a Live Tree
The most eco-friendly way to enjoy a Christmas tree is to buy a live
tree with its roots intact. Find one at your local nursery or farmer's
market. Dig your hole when you purchase the tree, and only keep it in
the house for a week so you don't wake it up.
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