I love a real Christmas tree. The fresh pine scent, the natural aura, to me it makes the holiday extra special. With my commitment to living green, however, I had to ensure that chopping down a fresh tree was in line with my eco moral code. Can a real tree be an Eco Christmas Tree? They grow them for this purpose, and replace them with new trees each season, don't they? The tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City is green, with its 30,000 LED lights and solar panels, but its a real tree. I had to weigh the options.
My original plan was to drive 65 miles one way to a Christmas tree farm and cut down my own tree, and make a nice family outing of it. Later I decided against it because of the unnecessary carbon emissions, the cost of gasoline and I wondered, "Do I really need to cut down yet another tree, when already 32 million have been harvested already for the holiday?" My eco solution was to buy from the local fire house located around the block from my home. I saved on gas, I helped our local fire department raise money, and I was feeling good. While we were packing it up on the car, I asked the tree salesman where it came from and he told me, " This tree was shipped 1200 miles from Quebec Canada." Now I am feeling even more guilty! My paltry 130 miles was nothing in comparison. Then again, it came in a truck of hundreds of trees, so maybe per tree, the carbon emissions would be neutralized somewhat. Oy. Perhaps a donation to Green Dimes might be another option (they plant trees for you).
It's so hard to make the right decision in this regard because one way or another, if you get a real tree, it had to be cut down and shipped to you, so either way you are screwed. You can buy a fake one, but it's probably made of plastic or toxic substances that can off gas in your house and help kill you over time. I'm kidding! Seriously, I haven't checked it out, but perhaps this is the sensible green solution. No chopping down of trees, no carbon emissions, maybe I can even find one made of recycled materials!
Hey don't sweat the tree thing too much. Make the greenest choice you can for your situation and enjoy the traditions of the holidays.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Eco Xmas Tree??
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Hey, there's always the living tree option, you know, if you don't mind a tiny tree. Those little potted trees. I've seen them in various sizes from the little potted rosemary plant on up to bigger ones in the pine family. I think it's a great option for apartment dwellers and urban types. I think you can keep in the pot outside when Christmas is over or plant it in the yard (if you have one.) Or maybe even donate it to someplace that can plant it, like a park or playground or convalescent home or convent or somebody deserving with a yard.
Post a Comment