Are Christmas trees really green?
Gov. O'Malley and his family plan to cut their own locally grown Christmas tree this Saturday and the First Family is urging others to buy local this season.
The state Department of Agriculture says the 2007 Census of Agriculture shows there are 200 tree growing farms in Maryland and 168 harvested 77,801 trees valued at $2.4 million. Those local farmers put that money back into the local economy four times, the state officials say.
They're also claiming this is the eco-friendly choice. They say growing Christmas trees stabilizes soil, protects water supplies and provides wildlife habitat, as well as creates "scenic green belts." They absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. They also contain no petroleum products like artificial trees can. A tree 3" in diameter can reduce atmospheric carbon by 23 pounds and intercept 102 gallons of storm water runoff per year, state ag folks say.
I know some people think cutting down all these trees isn't so environmental. The trees can also produce waste when people chuck them out into the street after the holidays with their bells and whistles still attached. (I'll try and hunt down some ways to recycle them.)
So, cutting your own tree a family tradition? Anyone have thoughts on local trees? Are fake trees, reused every year really so bad? And while we're on the subject of Christmas, what about all the electricity that's used to light up 34th Street?
Baltimore Sun file photo/Andre F. Chung
Comments
Agreed that tossing a tree w/trim is not right (gee, who has that kind of money, anyway?). I've wondered about just how 'green' live trees are, but usually end up purchasing one, preferably local. Discarded trees can be mulched up or for several years, I simply propped the tree against the backyard fence. The tree is used for shelter for birds and you can hang feeders, suet, etc. on the branches. If the tree was a manageable size, by Spring it is rather dry and brittle and can simply be cut up using a large pair of pruners and set out for yard waste recycling. This year, though, I've already purchased a very small artifical tree for the mantle. This is in response to pet safety concerns. I'm kind of already regretting it, but we'll see......
Posted by: ruth | December 4, 2009 8:02 AM
It would seem to me (lay observer) that no option, short of making a tree out of garbage or recycled materials is truly "green". The live tree will have to be cut and then either mulched or throw away. Fake trees are made of plastic and metal. In China. Sooo...
Just buy a tree with a root ball and plant it after you're done?
Posted by: bryanintowson | December 4, 2009 9:15 AM
We've bought a small potted tree that we will bring into the house in December each year to decorate and measure it. It will grow along with our family, and when it's too large we will take it into the woods and plant it.
Posted by: noble | December 4, 2009 10:24 AM
A couple things to keep in mind:
1) The average fake tree is only used for 6-7 years before it ends up in a landfill, where it will remain forever.
2) Christmas Trees can be recycled - there are more than 4,000 recycling programs nationwide. Trees can be recycled for mulch, dropped into lakes/ponds for fishing habitats and are used in shoreline restoration.
3) Christmas Trees are grown on farms just like any other crop - they are not cut down from forests.
For more info, visit www.christmastree.org.
Posted by: Becky | December 4, 2009 11:08 AM
During this joyous time of year I hope people take a moment to realize that trees, lights, and shopping have NOTHING to do with the message of Jesus. I doubt that he would even know that modern 'Christian' relegion was all about him.
Posted by: PWJeeps | December 5, 2009 9:41 AM
Thanks Killjoy (PWJeeps) for demonstrating once again that most Christians lack tolerance, humor or understanding. Christmas has become more than just another religious holiday and though that obviously bothers you I frankly just don't understand why people like you can't just lighten up and let us all live and let live in harmony.
Posted by: zigzag | December 5, 2009 4:42 PM
Christmas tree farmers in Oregon have begun environmental certification programs that require a detailed farm management plan and physically audit tree farm's sustainable farming methods with regard to soil and water conservation, biodiversity, integrated pest management, worker safety and training, and consumer outreach. Check out http://www.environmentalchristmastrees.com for more information.
There is no large corporate ownership of Christmas tree farms in the US, even the biggest farms are family owned and operated. So buying a real farm grown Christmas tree does support family farms and green jobs here in the US. Read more about it at www.associatedcontent.com/article/5681826/christmas_tree_farms_grow_green_jobs.html
Posted by: Mark Rohlfs | June 18, 2011 10:46 AM