Recently we experimented with a potted Rosemary herb as one of the possible eco-friendly Christmas trees options this year. Many people seem delighted to be offered a solution to opt out of the self-defeating culture norm of ending the lives of gentle, sentient beings such as trees. A friend recommended the concept of decorating an outdoor tree. In fact, decorating outdoor trees is how to whole Christmas tree tradition began. Existing trees outside used to be hung with candles and strung with popcorn and cranberries for the birds. This is an earth-friendly alternative to cutting tree down. Certainly, the practice brings joy to many around the country.
Native Species Eco-friendly Christmas Trees.
Purchasing native species trees from a local nursery in a pot with roots intact was another suggestion from many colleagues. This method supports local farmers and when the trees are planted at a later date, conifer habitat is actually added to the local ecosystem. (There you go, Cedar Waxwing!) Care needs to be taken that the trees are grown organically because the pesticides used at Christmas tree farms (Round-up and Malathion) are toxic to humans and pets.
If the plebian practice of killing a live tree is utilized, Rodale has some suggestions for eco-friendly end results, rather than a simple waste of cellulose tissue. After the holiday uproar, the tree can be chipped up into mulch. Then the mulch can be added to garden beds, feeding plants and suppressing weeds. In Louisiana, conservation groups rally together to re-use Christmas trees by adding them to coastal wetlands and so contribute to erosion mitigation. A similar method is the custom of conservation groups in Illinois. These visionaries augment the nesting habitat of native herons by thoughtful placement of Christmas trees.
Rodale also suggests, in the same article, a way to acquire branches for wreaths and other decorations that won’t involve cutting branches from native trees that are trying to make a living in our eco-system. The tree nurseries will naturally have LOTS of downed branches, which are available upon request. They smell as lovely as a live tree. They have already been cut; therefore, no intentional violence has been engaged in by the consumer. This creative response may be the best idea for eco-friendly Christmas trees: a more thoughtful use of existing resources.
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