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Do You Have a Real or Fake Christmas Tree?
December 8, 2008 at 11:00 AM by Cafe Kristen - Comments (9)
Cozycabinmom's Christmas tree.
Sure, your Christmas tree is green. But is it also environmentally green? Today, in Home & Garden, Cafe Sheri writes about a green Christmas.
But I'm wondering if my fake tree is better or worse for the environment. My husband is pushing for a real one like he does every year, but those bother my allergies. Hmm. Fake or real?
According to SustaineLane.com, there are pluses and minuses to both. But whichever your choice, here's how to make your Christmas tree more environmentally sound?
Fake Tree
Pro: You're saving a real one every year you use the fake.
Cons: They are usually made out of unrecyclable, dioxin-leaching PVC. Plus, faux trees are shipped from abroad, so it took a lot of gas to get it to your living room.
Verdict: If you have one, use it to keep it out of the landfill. If you don't have one, skip it and buy a real tree.
Real Tree
Pros: Local trees didn't waste a lot of fossil fuels to get to you. You can find pesticide- and herbicide-free trees that are best for your family and the planet.
Cons: You can recycle your tree at the end of the season so it doesn't end up in a landfill. Check the National Christmas Tree Association to find a recycling center near you--or maybe your town picks them up to turn them to mulch.
Verdict: Probably a greener option. The greenest, though, is buying a potted Christmas tree that you can plant outside when you're done.
There's an ongoing conversation about this in the private CafeMom group Next Generation of Green Thinking Moms.
I'm sticking with my fake. What do you think? Will you be using a fake or real tree this year?
FILED UNDER: allergies, healthy habits, in the news, pms
Comments:
OH and our local metro parks take the old trees to turn them into mulch for the park.
Got a real one, and got it decorated today! :-) Got it for $15 at Home Depot - it's nice and full, too! :-)
Since my 3 children have grown up I have a fake tree now and my grandchild always had a fake tree. Less mess to clean up afterwards. Merry Christmas everyone!
Fake and had it for 7 seven years and still counting!!
Real every since I was born. Yes. I love the real trees. We had purchased a high priced fake & were so disappointed with it, we returned it same day. It was just NOT the same thing. I wait all year to have my home smell of the pines and/or spruce that we usually decide on.
But I will never get another fake tree again. I will stick with the real thing.
We have a real tree -- and it's up! And decorated! And I love looking at it at night when it's all lit up. :)
We are using our fake tree we got 11 years ago when my son was born. But now that our youngest is 5 we plan for this to be the last year for the fake one. WOO HOO I can't wait. I love the smell and feel of a real tree.
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We have always had a fake tree for ever now but when we moved this year we tossed our old tree so now I have a real tree in my living room. I loved having a real tree when I was a kid but man I did not know what a headache they are! I have to sweep every two seconds and then also worry about the tree getting too dried out.
Peajewel Dec. 8, 2008 at 11:52 AM