I don't encourage getting a live tree with roots still attached and trying to re-plant it. Getting a tree to survive a transplant is hard enough, but the cold outdoors-warm house-cold outdoors shock is more than most evergreens can handle.
Some related links:
- Arlington Christmas tree recycling info
- National list of organic Christmas tree farms
- Grist's Ask Umbra on the real vs. fake question
Note: Always call ahead to live Christmas tree farms, you never know when they'll take a year off from selling trees to let the young ones grow.
Love this video! It gives me fuel to fight the annual battle with my brother-in-law over fake vs. real. (He's for fake, my sister and I are for real) It's all in good fun, but we're always looking for more evidence of real trees' superiority! :-)
ReplyDeleteI think some people assume that chopping down trees is non-environmentally friendly way to go -- but your points about getting locally-grown trees and the impact of plastic in the landfill are great! Thanks!
Another great point, which is minor but still valid, is that going to chop down a tree is a wonderful activity for your family. We saw quite a few munchkins running around with their parents and had to pause taping because kids were too noisy in the background. It's a great tradition and a great green lesson to impart to the little ones.
ReplyDeleteI protest. This is obviously rabid environmentalism prejudiced against those of us who are allergic to real Christmas trees ...:-). Just kidding, well except for the part about the allergies - that is true.
ReplyDeleteNice video. I wish that more farmers would offer the option of giving you the ball with it too so you can replant it in the spring. No need to recycle then.
ReplyDeleteAnna, horticulturalists don't recommend keeping a still-living tree inside for any longer than 1-2 weeks.
ReplyDeleteWe've had success planting live trees, which I do believe is ideal under the right circumstances and a mild climate, but in each instance we've been careful to purchase the tree only a few days before Christmas and plant it a few days after. It definitely limits the amount of time you can enjoy the tree in your home.
ReplyDeleteMy question is, though, why can't you buy a real tree and then if it doesn't survive recycle it at that point?
I've never done it, but the live tree process just seems like a ton of work with a low chance of success, and I wouldn't endorse something I wouldn't do myself. However, my fellow bloggers are encouraged to try it and let us know how it works!
ReplyDeleteI take it back - I just found out we were unsuccessful in the end. The one I thought had lived is, in fact, now dead. So, it sounds like it's just easier and better to follow TGM's advice!
ReplyDeleteWord! Support your local farmer! Support agricultural uses of land. A tree is planted - its sits there for years growing and breathing and giving shelter and home to small critters. Its cut down and the cycle is repeated. How cool is that --- or the local farmer could pave paradise and put up a parking lot and a Shop-Mart.
ReplyDeleteWe chuck our old trees in the back into a big pile. While they rot and compost, they once again provide shelter to small critters along the ground.
Just ask yourself this - What Would Santa Maccabee Do?