Living Decorated Tree; Cut Decorated Tree

For me and my family, there is nothing like the smell of a freshly cut Christmas tree permeating our home during the holiday season.  But like so may others, we are seriously considering forgoing our olfactory pleasures in favor of doing our small part to save Mother Earth.

Aside from being fabulous air fresheners, fresh trees do over many positive points because they are:

1. More environmentally friendly than artificial trees.  Tree farms provide habitats for wildlife and they clean our air by absorbing carbon dioxide, pollen and dust ;
2. Renewable and recyclable.  Tree farms typically plant 2 or 3 tress for every one that they cut.  Recycled trees can be used to make mulch, as well as soil erosion barriers and such.  Find a tree recycler at www.earth911.com.

But real trees also come with a couple of major drawbacks:

1. Pesticides and fertilizers use is required for any successful tree farm and these chemicals have been increasingly detected in our groundwater;
2. Higher maintenance.  Drag the tree home, put it up (often a struggle), keep it watered during the entire holiday season, and clean up needles.

So it seems as though the simple green solution may be to take the plunge into the forest of fake trees this year,   Well I know that you're probably thinking that you're not one who is just now  jumping onto the green bandwagon because you've  had a fake tree for years!  But hold on -- are you sure that your fake tree is completely environmentally responsible?

It's true that artificial trees offer many benefits such as:

1. Durability.  They can be re-used for 6 to 10 years;
2. Affordability.  You may pay a bit more upfront, but they save you $$ because they are reusable year after year;
3. Easier to maintain.  No messy needles all over your room and no watering is required; and
4. No worry of the Charlie Brown  tree effect.  Need I say more?

On the other hand, fake trees are not at all eco-friendly (or U.S. economy friendly) because:

1. China is the predominant manufacturer of artificial tree sold around the world and lead is used as a PVC stabilizer; and
2. PVC is not biodegradable and the process of manufacturing it creates deadly dioxins.

The University of North Carolina conducted testings of the lead content in branches, on hands after contact, and on the dust beneath trees and found the the "average Christmas tree does not present significant exposure risk, but may present a substantial health risk to young children".

So Is there really such a thing a green Christmas tree?  Perhaps not.  It seems that there are only 3 environmentally responsible choices that will allow us to enjoy our holiday tradition while keeping our families safe?

Consider these eco-friendly alternatives:

• Decorate a houseplant
• Buy a potted tree that you can plant in your yard after the holidays
• Have your Christmas tree outside by decorating a tree that is already in your yard
• Rent a Christmas tree from a company such as The Original Living Christmas Tree Company at www.livingchristmastrees.org