It's that time of the year again. Your neighbors have already finished decorating their house with lights, ornaments and Christmas trees the day after Thanksgiving, but you're a still debating whether it is more eco-friendly to cut down a live Christmas tree or if you should stop by the store for an artificial one.
Harmful Chemicals
According to Rodale's Organic Life, fake
trees are made from the plastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and the toxic
chemical dioxin is released during PVC production. PVC is one of the most
environmentally offensive forms of non-renewable, petroleum-derived plastic.
Not only is it harmful to the environment but also to your health.
Real trees are also treated with
chemicals to avoid pest problems. Those chemicals have been proven to be
harmful to some animals and human cells.
It seems as if no matter
what option you choose, you can't avoid putting your health at risk but there is
an important differentiation.
Christmas
tree growers in western North Carolina, with the help of NC State University,
have learned a better way of growing trees called IPM
(Integrated Pest Management). It’s a way of using less — fewer pesticides and
fertilizers — to grow a better, prettier tree. NC State researchers have
determined that trees grown in North Carolina need only a quarter of an ounce
of pesticide per tree over the course of the tree’s lifetime. Pest management
surveys conducted by NC Cooperative Extension specialists have documented
a 71% decrease in pesticide use from 2000 to 2013.
When searching for the perfect
tree do some research online and find organic tree farms. You'll
be surprised how many local pest-free farms are in your own state!
Local Sustainability
Did you know that North Carolina
is the second largest Christmas Tree Producer? A WNCN article recently
stated, that since around 98 percent of all trees produced in North Carolina
come from just seven Western counties, nearly two million trees are cut in Ashe
County alone. Consider supporting your local farmer by buying a real tree this
year.
On the other hand, nearly 80% of artificial
Christmas trees are made in China. The carbon footprint just to transport those
trees to your living room is immense. According to this Treehugger article,
the estimated total CO2 emissions
for an artificial tree are over 137lbs.
Recycling
The fake tree can't be recycled
should you decide to ditch it for a newer model. Due to its material it will
end up in a landfill and stay there forever. Ask yourself, how many years do
you actually reuse your fake tree before buying a new one? Every year they come
up with newer, better Christmas Trees to ensure the customer will buy a new
one. The average life cycle of a fake Christmas tree is only 6 or 7 years.
Eventually, they all go to the landfill as garbage.
In comparison, real Christmas
trees are a renewable and recyclable resource. There are many options to
recycle your live tree after all the festivities are over. The National Christmas
Tree Association has many tips for recycling your tree such as participating in a
mulching program where trees are chipped and shredded and then they make the
mulch available for use in your garden.
You can also buy a small potted real tree. After the holidays you can transplant it outside. Not only do you save landfill space but you're also contributing to the reduction of CO2 for many years to come.
The Ultimate Holiday Experience
Finally, don’t forget the special
memories you will make when picking and cutting a tree with your family. Cut
your own tree or select a pre-cut tree while enjoying hot chocolate or roasted
marshmallows. Everybody will look forward to this fun family tradition each year.
Choose your tree species, desired amenities and your city or county and the NC Christmas Tree
Association will provide you with a list of tree farms near you that meet your
criteria.
We hope you enjoy your holiday
season with the perfect Christmas tree for you and your family.
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