Traditional Trees VS. Artifical Trees
Tuesday, November 25th, 2008
Artificial trees are made of plastic, we all know this, but are they better than the traditional cutting tree from our own land or from a tree farm? The bottom line and most reasonable answer is no.
The National Christmas Tree Association, many artificial trees are made overseas in factories that have less than ideal working conditions. Many artificial trees contain metals and plastics that are harmful to the environment and many of these artificial trees contain PVC and even lead. These tress, when their time is done inside the home, end up in landfills where all of these chemicals end up in our waterways over time.
The best approach is to use Christmas trees from forest thinning and even farms that are used for that very purpose. You can even go the route of purchasing trees with a root ball system already in a pot and use this for your Christmas tree this year and once the holiday is over, you can plant that tree right in your own yard or at a local park nearby if you city allows this.
The best choice is Christmas trees that come from Christmas tree farms and the reasons way are as follows:
1. These trees are one of the best renewable resources.
2. These farms offer jobs in many areas with jobs are scarce.
3. Offer many trees in one location that offers oxygen and help controls erosion and offers wildlife refuge as well.
4. Many trees in one area offer the absorption of C02 uptake.
5. Once the season is over the tree can become compost and help also fill in erosion and sunk lakes which provides a better habitat for fish and other aquatic wildlife as well.
centerpieces you can buy. Another great decoration from Mother Nature is the pine cone. Place a handful in a pretty glass bowl with some glass balls and a few sprigs of greenery and you have a pretty centerpiece. You can also use a pretty vase with the same effect. Twigs and berries can also be used. Another idea is to tuck twigs and sprigs of greenery on a mantle and accent with pine cones. Ivy can also be used for wreaths and assorted decorations, and red and white roses and baby’s breath make gorgeous accompaniments. For a little fragrance, take an orange and cover it with cloves, then add a ribbon and hang. Fresh herbs and shiny red apples also add beauty and fragrance.


They come in rainbow of colors from the softest pink to the brightest red and deepest burgundy. They even come in beautiful winter white-which some misguided nurseries dye in all sorts of colors-I’ve seen blue, purple, orange and even yellow ones. Yuck! They don’t need to be covered in glitter or dye! I’m sure the glitter covered ones won’t last til Christmas because it seems to me all that junk would be very damaging to the plant-plants, like people, need to breathe, and they do so through their leaves. Lets send a message to the industry that these plants are beautiful all on their own and maybe they’ll leave them the way nature intended! 