November 28th's Tip
Christmas Trees: Stuck between choosing a real Christmas tree or a fake one? Here is some information to help you decide.
- Fake trees are made of PVC, which causes a lot of pollution during production, and may contain dangerous levels of lead.
- Fake trees are not biodegradable or recyclable.
- There area bout 5000 choose and cut Christmas tree farms in the U.S., and for every real tree harvested, 2 to 3 seedlings are planted in its place (1)
- 85% of fake trees are imported from China (2)
- Buying a real tree from a locally managed tree farm helps support your local economy.
Buying a real tree may sound counter-productive to environmentalism, but purchasing from a tree farm set up for the purpose of growing Christmas trees is not going to harm forests. These farms are set up for this purpose, and are growing new trees as others are cut, continuously renewing the supply of trees. Ask your local tree farm if their trees are grown organically (or, alternatively, search Local Harvest for organic tree farms).
Stay tuned for December 26th's Eco-Friendly Friday to learn how to recycle your real tree rather than throwing it away.
For more information on fake trees and why they may not be the best choice, visit National Christmas Tree Association.
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15 Responses
1
Kelly Pro
December 1st, 2008 at 5:42 am
Thanks for sharing. I was always in confusion on this question. I really thought it was better to buy fake trees, but with these facts i will change my decision on next Christmas tree shopping.
2
Mark @ the anniversary gifts
December 1st, 2008 at 8:34 pm
I need a new tree this year since our basement flooded this last spring when the sump pump failed, ruining everything not on a shelf. I was going to buy a fake tree because like Kelly I thought a fake tree was better for the environment.
So after reading this I guess it's going to be a real tree this year. I know there is tree farm near here that sell Christmas trees with the roots in a ball, after the holidays you then plant the tree and I could use a few more trees. Win Win eh.
3
CarlosG
December 3rd, 2008 at 1:11 pm
What about using the same tree you used the last year? Is it possible to put it in your garden for all the year?
4
Stefanie
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Kelly, many people think it's better to buy fake trees, which is why it's important to spread the information.
Mark, I'm sorry to hear about your basement! The tree farm sounds like a great idea
Carlos, I'm not sure if that's possible, I'd imagine it might be stressful on the tree.
5
1225mochie
January 20th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Tree farm sounds like a decent idea.
I still buy fake trees and think it's a better choice.
6
Ski Resorts
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:33 am
I did not knew that there are fake trees which r dangerous .These kind of blog and information provided will be very useful to people like me to know newer things.I liked the post and would like to see more from u.
7
Curt
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:40 am
VERY INSPIRING ARTICLE. I LOVE PLANTATION AND NOW HAVE SOME MORE PEOPLE TO SUPPORT MY LOVE. THANKS.
8
Emprestimo Pessoal
April 9th, 2009 at 9:41 am
Good tips! The plastic tree buying is not that good especially if they come from China. My uncle got a bunch of rashes because he was allergic to some chemical that was on a plastic tree like that!
9
Stefanie
April 10th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Emprestimo, glad to know I'm not the only one that has gotten a rash from touching a fake tree!
10
Electronic Parts
April 18th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Tree farm sounds like a decent idea.
i love plant and plantation, i have my own garden i crop tree with my hand.
11
Gallstones Treatment
April 18th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
great tip... i like greenary around me verrry much i love to plant in mine garden.. plastic is very dangerous,thats why it is banned in my country to get aware of its hazardness rarely it will seen by you in my country...(IND)..
12
peças usadas automotivas
April 21st, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I had an allergy because of the smell of PVC plastic from a Chinese tree. Furthermore, the durability of the tree is very low and not worth pity!
Nice post!!
13
mudanças rj transportadora
April 21st, 2009 at 9:56 pm
I do not like Christmas trees in plastic. Besides not being ecologically correct, durability and appearance of them are not good.
14
Mariel Roque
June 9th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Fake trees has many health hazard coming from the chemicals used from the manufacturing company
Every Christmas we only use twigs and assemble them to make Christmas Tree.
You save money and you also save earth.
15
Secret Tips For You
July 6th, 2009 at 4:34 am
I always tell that to my relatives. I hate it when they use plastic Christmas trees, not only is it bad to the environment but it just lessens the essence of Christmas.