Christmas trees

Fizzy Izzy · Mon Nov 26, 2007 2:55 pm

I know someone will say it's too early, but I've started to think about my Christmas tree...

I already know that real trees are "greener" than plastic ones... but how do find a good real tree? Local, sustainable, organic etc. Does anyone know about the ethics of Christmas trees?

Annpan · Post: # 77391Post **Annpan** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 3:18 pm

Firstly, I have seen arguements for plastic Christmas trees being green (sa they are re-used for years). Personally I don't buy it, but if you were to get one from a charity shop or freecycle then it would be greener to use that than buy a cut one every year.

Aside from that... Most garden centres near us plant christmas trees on whatever spare land they have going, they don't pay them any attention until they look big enough to chop down (about 6 years I think

) Then they sell them by the foot.

They are not organically certified, but they are also quite cheap and encourage trees to be planted, rather than land going to waste.

It is also important to make sure that your tree is recycled, either by your council, or at home.

red · Post: # 77392Post **red** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 3:26 pm

we recycle ours into heat via the wood burner

I guess you have to ask questions.. mostly where is it grown.

Fizzy Izzy · Mon Nov 26, 2007 3:51 pm

Thanks for the replies both of you - I guess I'll head along to the garden centre and ask some searching questions!

Now, I only have to think about how to get it back home without a car - I guess bus drivers wouldn't look too kindly on Christmas trees!

QuakerBear · Mon Nov 26, 2007 5:28 pm

We didn't have a Christmas tree last year. Just boughs of holly and yew (be careful cutting it) that we cut from open spaces near us. It looked really good still.

baldowrie · Post: # 77408Post **baldowrie** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 5:39 pm

I have an artificial tree I have had a number of years now. Once that can not be used any more I shall not replace it but do as I have done in the past and buy a small tree that can be planted in a pot until it gets too big and can be planed outside.

Silver Ether · Mon Nov 26, 2007 5:50 pm

baldowrie wrote:I have an artificial tree I have had a number of years now. Once that can not be used any more I shall not replace it but do as I have done in the past and buy a small tree that can be planted in a pot until it gets too big and can be planed outside.

Yep we have a play one too and had it many years ... But I also like to collect twigs and greenery even things some fols call weeds its amazing how nice they can look

Magpie · Post: # 77414Post **Magpie** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 6:31 pm

We have a lot of wilding pines here, so we usually go and get one of those, as they are weeds. Or wait for our arbourist friend to take down either a whole pine tree, or even just a large branch some years.

My Mum had an artificial one for more than 20 years, so I guess that's not bad going either.

Chickenlady · Mon Nov 26, 2007 10:38 pm

If you buy a real one, just check that it isn't imported!!

Our local farm shop grows and sells their own organic xmas trees (and they are very well priced), but they were telling me that the garden centre next door to them won't stock them because it is cheaper to import some!!

If you already have an artificial tree, I guess it is better to keep using it, unless you can find somebody else who would like it.

Jane

Fizzy Izzy · Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:08 pm

Some more nice ideas - thanks guys! I'd love to get one you could plant, but I'm not sure where I would plant it afterwards... No room in my garden and anyway, I'll be leaving this (rented) house next year anyway. Could I sneak into a nearby park and plant it? Or would I get in trouble?!

red · Post: # 77462Post **red** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:40 pm

if you buy a tree that is locally grown, and recycle it afterwards.. particulary into logs as we do ... then I think its the best way.. its a crop. - its locking away c02 whilst it is growing, and giving heat in the same way as grown for firewood trees.

if there are lots of 'tree miles' then its another matter

Ellendra · Post: # 77727Post **Ellendra** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:23 pm

The last few Christmases I've looked for a potted rosemary that's been pruned into the shape of a mini christmas tree. It smells wonderful, can be moved out of kitty's or baby's reach, and when it needs trimmed the trimmings make a great soup!

Unfortunately, they've never survived being left behind when the family goes on vacation. But, maybe this year . . .

mrsflibble · Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:31 pm

Annpan wrote:Then they sell them by the foot.

and dont forget, a christmas tree foot is 6 standard inches not 12 lol!!!

we have a plastic one, it's 3 years old and still good as new cos i store it properly. plus the fact, part of the xmas pleasure for me is the loft smell and the burning dust you get for the first couple of dayd the fairy lights are on lol!

my mum's is heading up for 15 years old now... ok so she pads it out with extra plain green tinsel which she bought about 6 years ago to make it seem just as bushy as it was new, but it's still going strong too.

ocailleagh · Wed Apr 16, 2008 12:38 am

One year I used a besom type broom, one sold as a garden broom in fact, brush end up and wrapped in tinsel and lights with straw baubles and little sparkly faeries. It looked really effective. I usually prefer to get a small pot-grown tree (as opposed to cut or just plain potted) but so far, not one has survived a summer on my balcony

I also braid garlands out of ivy, wrap them in strings of popcorn and cranberries, hang studded oranges and cinnamon sticks from them and use them on the ceiling....but that's slightly irrelevant lol

Post: # 96432Post **MKG** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:43 am

My OH's son had a first Chrissy tree which got planted in the garden. It, like Topsy, just growed ... and growed ...

It came down in last year's storms (when it was over thirty feet tall) and created an awful lot of damage in the process. Not very green - but the air turned quite blue.

Beware of rampant, shallow-rooted conifers!