Are you worried about the ecological footprint of getting a Solstice tree? Are you concerned about the environmental degradation caused by wanting a tree to decorate for Festivus? You're right to be concerned, because yours is only one in 32 million holiday trees that are sold in the U.S. every year. But thankfully, there are some eco-friendly options...
Stayin' Alive
Buy a tree with the bulb still attached! This may only be a viable option for people who have land to plant it on afterward, and it should be noted that this makes the tree substantially more heavy, so be aware of that before you pick out an 8-footer.
Oh, and, uh, you must keep your tree alive until you're ready to plant it. Because of this, it must be slowly acclimated to the indoors, and spend no more than 2 weeks indoors before slowly re-acclimating to the outdoors. Also, I wouldn't force it to endure the heat from multiple incandescent light strings (buy LED!), fireplaces, or heat vents. Most people probably can't commit to a live tree, but if you do, remember to choose where you plant it wisely, as it can grow to be 40-60 feet tall.
If you do go this route, you'll be able to sleep soundly at night knowing that your tree is actively filtering water, removing air pollution, sequestering carbon, and providing homes for wildlife.
Many 'tree adoption' services have begun to spring up, such as this one in San Diego. And with this service, your tree is even delivered by singing, dancing elves! I might move to San Diego just for this. After the holidays, your adopted tree won't end up in a landfill--where it would take up precious space and release greenhouse gases as it decomposes--but instead, it'll be replanted! Beautiful.
Go Organic
Holiday trees are an agricultural product and carry the attendant issues of all mass agriculture. Most trees are grown using conventional agricultural methods, and the growers regularly spray pesticides for various tree pests, and apply fertilizer to the plots. But like any other agricultural product, there are trees grown with pesticides and herbicides vs. organic specimens, there are family operations vs. large-scale producers, etc. So, if you decide to go for a real tree, try to support a small-scale sustainable grower if you can.
Reduce and Reuse
First of all, let me say that the worst option is to buy a new, fake tree. Most artificial trees are vinyl Chinese imports, and quite a few contain lead. (And remember, we are boycotting vinyl to the greatest extent possible, people.) And here's some fun Christmas party conversation fodder: Christmas décor is apparently one of the largest categories of Chinese imports. Huh...interesting.
The only way that I would ever advocate for a fake tree would be if you bought it from a thrift store or if it was otherwise previously used. Note: For those of you who are price shopping, this is likely the cheapest option. (The Boulder Salvation Army trees ranged from $10-25.)
Use Nature
You may never again see those words written in this blog. However, in this case, I do advise using nature...use trees outside as your personal solstice trees! Make garlands (of something natural, like hemp) and string up walnuts, popcorn, stale bread, and whatever else (no cheetos, please), and drape them around trees near your house. Then, watch over the next few weeks--or days, or maybe hours--as critters of all varieties enjoy a holiday feast!
Of course, there's always the "Don't buy a tree at all" option, which I trust you have all already considered. If not: Have you thought about having no tree and living vicariously through the trees of others, decorating a house plant, or making your own tree as an ambitious crafts project?
Whatever option you choose for your Christmahanukkwanzaa tree, please make sure to decorate it with LED lights and fair trade ornaments, and to wear a hideously ugly sweater while doing it.
Happy Solstice! (And as a special solstice gift to you, I did not name this post 'To Tree or Not to Tree.' You're welcome.)
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1 comments:
For all you Boulderites who are looking for specifics, check out the tree farm at 3375 75th St., which has 1,500 native forest trees to pick from!
Another option is going up to the mountains and cutting one down with a permit from the Forest Service. That way, you can get a tree in an area targeted for fuel load reductions, so it probably would have been removed anyway.
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