Botany Buddy

It’s that time of year again, and if you have read me before, I have already chimed in on my support for your local garden center when you buy your Christmas tree.  I always like to support my local businesses, and this is one year where they could really use your help.  Where I live, this is usually a pretty “green” option as well since we are in the heart of Frazier Fir county.   The trees in our local nurseries usually come from less than an hour away.  However,  some people want to make the “greenest” decision when it comes to this ritual, and cannot imagine that  “Sustainability” could require cutting down a living tree.  Since being sustainable is contingent on those who have to do the sustaining, I thought I would put together this little guide to help you choose the best and “greenest” tree for you.

THE WORST:  Artificial Trees. These are without a doubt the most damaging to the environment.  I know that common thinking would be that not cutting down a tree would be the greenest option.  However, this is without a doubt the worst.  Artificial trees are loaded with PVC and toxic fire retardants.  Most are made in countries with little regard to water pollution and the manufacturing plants themselves do more to damage the environment that the toxins used to make the tree.  Even worse is the shipping.  Most of these trees are shipped half way around the world before they ever make it to the states. Then they are shuffled from state to state and warehouse to warehouse before they ever make it to your door.  Besides the “green” aspects of this, when it comes to sustainability you are lucky if five cents on the dollar actually makes it into the local economy.

THE ALMOST AS BAD:  Cut Trees From Box Stores. This year’s tomato blight should tell us a little about this.  In their desire to  get the cheapest possible tree to sell these companies will not hesitate one second to ship a Frazier Fir from coast to coast to save a penny.  Secondly, as evidenced by the tomato blight they will have little regard to shipping exotic invasive species such as Woolly Adelgid with them.  Since Christmas trees are “harvested” they have little regulations regarding interstate shipping of diseased plants, and with the condensed harvest season their is no way such regulations could be successfully enforced.  On the sustainability side, once again, this does little for you local economy unless you happen to live in Bentonville, Arkansas.

GETTING GREENER:  Cut Trees From A Local Garden Center. Obviously I am a little partial to this one for convenience and support of the industry, and if grown locally these trees can be extremely green.  However, many of these will often be dyed, and garden centers like to get all crafty and carry “Boutique Trees”  That tend to come from different parts of the country.  My favorite tree is actually a Noble Fir, but since moving to Frazier country I have given that option up to be green.   As for sustainability, these trees are usually bought from coops or regionally which cuts down on shipping, and puts more money back into the local economy.

YOU WOULD THINK THIS GREENER:  The Living Tree. Growing in popularity has been has been the living tree that is brought inside for a short period of time and then taken out to be planted immediately after the holiday.  Sounds “green” to me.  However, the amount of labor and chemicals that go into growing a live tree for retail sale is far greater than what it takes to grow a cut tree.  The water to keep them alive while out of the ground must be figured in.  The shipping of the soil means they can only get a fraction of the trees on the truck, and the chances of them actually surviving this torture is about 30 percent.  Very few places handle evergreens properly at this time of year, and even fewer homeowners will, even if they have the best of intentions.  Add to all of that the terrible timing of trying to plant in frozen soil and getting it backfilled correctly, this just rarely turns out as intended.

GREENER AND CAUSAL:  Local Roadside Stands for Charity. Lately it seems like the local roadside stands have been taken over by local charities, and to save money these are almost always stocked locally or regionally.  Grant it these are typically lower grade trees and they are never as pretty as the prime stock that goes to your local garden center, but if this is the season of giving this is a good way to go.  You are less likely to have artificial dyes, the shipping should be limited, and you are giving the proceeds straight back to your community.  These are also usually bought from the same folks that are supplying the box stores without the damage to the environment caused by the shipping, and since these are second grade trees you are saving them from a burn pile.

THE GREENEST COMMERCIAL OPTION:  The Local Tree Farm. Going to a local tree farm, picking out the perfect specimen, drinking some cocoa, and strapping it to your car for the sentimental journey home is without a doubt the “greenest” and most sustainable commercial option.  The shipping is limited to a drive you would make anyway.  Cut your own growers tend to use far less chemicals, and machinery.  You don’t have all the over the road trucking, and every dollar goes right to the person that grew the tree.  You also know that they are going to plant another tree right in its place because they are dependent upon it for the continued revenue.  These growers are also going to practice selective harvesting since you are choosing the tree.  They wont be clear cutting field and plowing mountain tops to keep up with the box store demand.

THE GREENEST OPTION:  Cut Down an Invasive Species: There are many parts of the country were cedars, certain varieties of spruce and pines are actually invasive species and need to be removed.  If you happen to know someone with some land that will let you cut one down, take them up on it.  You know they haven’t been sprayed or pruned and what is a nuisance to them can create a great memory for you.  At the same time you will be doing something good for the environment without taking anything from it.  This option also happens to be the cheapest.

What is the “greenest” may not be the best for you.  Allergies may prevent you from having a cut or living tree at all, and your travel, schedule, or specific traditions and needs may dictate less green options.  The important part is that you choose your tree thoughtfully because it will be creating memories in the days ahead for many years to come.  Hopefully this list will help you make the “greenest” decision you can and bring even more meaning to your holidays.