Greetings,

Just thought I’d throw in my two cents on the matter! I agree with you that there are debatable benefits to cutting down a tree, be in on a farm or in a forest. However, there are more factors to consider beyond soil quality and carbon fixing (both of which are indeed important).

In addition to environmental considerations, another aspect to Christmas tree farming is the farmers themselves. Christmas trees are grown in all of the 50 US States, and in Canada, and provide an important source of income for local growers.

As for the other thoughts you’ve mentioned, I have to speak on to my own experiences: growing up, my folks wild harvested Christmas trees every year from a piece of forest owned by a family friend. Apart from the spiders and insects that find their way into all our homes in winter, we NEVER had issues with bugs, squirrels, or bears (oh my!) coming in off the trees – whether they were from the forest, or the farm – and if we had encountered any, there certainly would have been more environmentally-sound alternatives to using pesticides as a remedy! (I’d be a bit more concerned about the chemicals used in the manufacturing of fake, plastic Christmas trees, and the oil used to transport them across the Pacific from Asia.)

It’s true, improper care for your tree can lead to early wilting, and as you mentioned there are some simple steps that can be taken to ensure that your cut tree stays green, fresh, and vigorous through the holiday. Again, looking back on what I observed growing up, most of the trees my folks brought into our home lasted all the way to New Year’s.

When it comes down to it, I agree with you 100% that the ultimate is to buy a live, potted/bare root tree that can be planted in the yard. But for those without the means or the desire to plant a tree, I have to encourage them to support their local farmers, and select the recyclable option of a cut Christmas tree.

Thanks for letting me share my thoughts, and happy holidays,

JLB

Thanks for sharing JLB.

I find myself agreeing with most of what you've shared - maybe it's because I'm too tired to disagree or that Christmas is near that I feel a sense of 'goodwill to mankind'.

Great comments and I appreciate your willingness to share them.

Happy holidays back at ya, JLB.

We are so busy this year that we're celebrating without a tree. Well we do have a tiny fake 3 foot tree but that barely counts. Now I feel ecofriendly instead of scroogelike...thanks!