Real Green Christmas Trees
In preparing for Christmas, the ritual of cutting down our own Christmas tree is one of the few activities that I actually look forward to. Having recently learned that some growers of Christmas trees use 40 different pesticides, as well as chemical colorants, (which is not only bad for the environment, but also the farm hands), I'm on a quest to find an organic tree farm in the Catskills. Haven't found one yet, but here are a few that I've dug up so far...
pested.org
eco-businesslinks
Captain Jack's Christmas Tree Farm Network
and
Tree2MyDoor ...offers trees, and a whole lot more.
For each Christmas tree cut on tree farms, 2 or 3 new seedlings are planted.
But if cutting down and recycling a tree is not for you, you could buy a tree with roots and plant it after the holidays... American Forests provides detailed information about tree planting.
My sister simply decorates a large, potted evergreen. When the decorations are removed, the plant is rolled back to its comfy, year-round spot by the slider.
Ah, the joys of the holidays...if you know where there's an organic Christmas tree farm, we'd love to know.
(petite Santa pictured here is courtesy of lifeinmayberry)
posted by Galli Galli Sim Sim @ 12:10 AM
13 Comments:
How about a Christmas made of recycled PET bottles? LOL Becoming quite popular in Brazil, evidently, at least in municipal Christmas displays. I'm told some are quite creative, but haven't seen them yet. I've asked a friend in Brazil to send me along some photos to post in my blog.
Best Regards,
Keith
I live in Nova Scotia, so while I know of an organic tree farm, it's not much use to you. Good luck with your search.
Such a cute little, girl! Christmas is upon us, once again!
Hey Keith,
Let me know if your friend sends that photo...I'll check it out. Sounds good. Thanks for commenting. Have a merry.
/m
Isumavunga,
You're lucky there's one located close to you...my search continues...
best,
m
OneMargaret,
Yes, she is...kids and Christmas, doesn't get much better.
Thanks for commenting, and enjoy the festivities. /m
I'm feeling tired and environmentally challenged after catching up with all of your postings since June. Very interesting...K
Hi Kim,
Might be time for a nap, a brisk walk or a glass of nice wine. If you're feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone...one day, and one thing at a time...Rome was not built in a day:)
Thanks for taking the time to catch up, and I hope to hear from you again, soon.
/m
Why do you think it takes 40 pesticides to grow a Christmas tree? How could anyone afford all that? We had a reporter say last year that it took 26 pounds of pesticides to produce a single Christmas tree. Come on. Do you think pesticides cost 10 cents a pound or something? If that much was used, the cost of pesticides alone would exceed the wholesale value of the Christmas tree. In North Carolina according to survey data, it takes on average half an ounce of pesticides to produce a single Christmas tree -- thats 10 years in the field. Most growers use Roundup around the trees to control weeds, and an insecticide before the trees start growing -- and months before they are harvested. That's it. Compare that to apples that are sprayed through the growing season on a 7 to 10 day schedule. If you want to worry about pesticides on Christmas trees feel free, but do at least get your facts straight.
Hey Lazy Daisy,
Sounded amazing to me, too. But the source of the info was the Sierra Club so it seems reliable to me. Go figure.
/m
Lazy,
Here's the contact at Sierra Club if you'd like to "Fact Check" the info that was forwarded to me:
Orli Cotel
Sierra Club Publicist
(415) 977-5627 office
As far as I'm concerned, my facts are correct.
Have a merry!
/m
GGSS, the photos of the municipal Christmas tree made of PET bottles is now up at my blog. I've been told that there are other examples, and I am in the process of hunting them down.
I'll check it out. Thanks Keith. Great comment on the Dominican organic scene.
m
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