Christmas trees

[AfternoonLemon]

Just bought 3 Christmas trees from B&Q at 1p each, and there were a good 20-30 more.

I plan to use them as prickly barriers between my fence and garden hut, to discourage cats from using it as a 'tunnel', but that's not the point of this thread!

I'd like to question why anyone would be happy to have a healthy tree cut down every year for them, so that they can plonk it in their living room for a couple of weeks, and then toss it in the trash.

Of course, if you mention it to anyone it's all 'scrooge' and 'bah humbug', but really, I find it to be one of the ugliest things about Christmas. I don't want to start a thread about Christmas though, it's really about this one aspect of it.

Surely 'real' Christmas trees should be banned?!

[hank]

They're grown as a crop, so they're sustainable. If they're shredded after use, then they're also recyclable.

H.

[Juliet1200]

Surely a lot more sustainable than plastic ones?

[AfternoonLemon]

Originally Posted by hank

They're grown as a crop, so they're sustainable. If they're shredded after use, then they're also recyclable.

H.

When put like that, I suppose you're right. It just seems like such a massive waste

[fairplay]

Don't worry, next year Bonsai Xmas Trees will be all the rage. (and I'll have presents to match)

Neil.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by hank

They're grown as a crop, so they're sustainable. If they're shredded after use, then they're also recyclable.

Cropping doesn't neccessarily equally sustainability. Sustainability requires a neutral impact, a net gain, or a net loss which is directly matched with a net gain elsewhere, these conditions can not be said to apply to apply to trees cut for seasonal decoration. Of course the same can be said of many other horticultural prodcucts - x million potted poinsettias are sold at Xmas and doomed to die and end up in land fill in the succeeding year.

Sustainability considerations for Xmas trees, primarily Picea abies but increasingly more expensive species with less propensity for needle drop, include competitive use of quality soils, fertiliser inputs, depletion of soil, lack of feed support for wildlife caused by cropping before maturity, energy/pollution costs of transport, storage and handling - pre and post purchase, and final disposal. Shredding and composting, combustion for heat or methane capture at landfill, are potential gains, however these are minor when set against the overall environmental costs.

Matched costs of synthetic/real cut xmas trees are not easy to calculate however given reuse of a synthetic tree of ten years duration or more, then synthetic is likely to be demonstrably a more sustainable option. Ultimately though, like any other xmas consumable, the xmas tree of whatever form, is an environmental cost which becomes excessive when demanded by millions >billions of humans.

CM

[nightshade]

Our old Synthetic tree is twisted wire frame and tinsel and is the second we have owned in 35 years. I love the smell of real Christmas trees but not the sight of dead brown ones thrown out of cars in quiet lanes!

[artdemole]

Synthetic tree is long lasting up in the loft every year.Modern tradition....

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by AfternoonLemon

I'd like to question why anyone would be happy to have a healthy tree cut down every year for them, so that they can plonk it in their living room for a couple of weeks, and then toss it in the trash.

Of course, if you mention it to anyone it's all 'scrooge' and 'bah humbug', but really, I find it to be one of the ugliest things about Christmas. I don't want to start a thread about Christmas though, it's really about this one aspect of it.

Surely 'real' Christmas trees should be banned?!

For me, it's not the fact that healthy trees are being cut down for this purpose that is the real problem. Potentially a bigger problem is the fact that while there is demand for 'real' Christmas trees land that might otherwise be left more suitable for native wildlife is being planted with non-native conifers so that they can be grown for this reason.
Admittedly young conifer plantations do seem to provide a good habitat for many native bird species though - but do the 'pros' outweigh the 'cons'?

It's not just Christmas where this 'throw away' attitude exists though, it seems to be an everyday attitude with our modern society - and at least old Christmas trees can be easily recycled if you are prepared to make the effort.

[faz]

Originally Posted by RoyW

For me, it's not the fact that healthy trees are being cut down for this purpose that is the real problem. Potentially a bigger problem is the fact that while there is demand for 'real' Christmas trees land that might otherwise be left more suitable for native wildlife is being planted with non-native conifers so that they can be grown for this reason.
Admittedly young conifer plantations do seem to provide a good habitat for many native bird species though - but do the 'pros' outweigh the 'cons'?

It's not just Christmas where this 'throw away' attitude exists though, it seems to be an everyday attitude with our modern society - and at least old Christmas trees can be easily recycled if you are prepared to make the effort.

well said