Not so Ho-Ho-Ho!

Every winter there's always a clash of opinion on which type of Christmas tree is the way to go. My household always used to buy a real tree, until, like many, it was decided that they can be a tad costly. But here's the problem with artificial trees...

1. Artificial trees are manufactured with metal and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) - a plastic that is non-biodegradable, made using petroleum, which is a non-renewable resource that emits carbon.
2. The manufacturing, processing and shipping of the trees has a heavy carbon footprint. These processes release greenhouse gases into the environment. Considering the verdict of COP21 (see my previous blog) was to try and reduce the annual emissions of these gases, maybe we should ban artificial trees!!?
3. Most of these trees are made in China, and considering these trees are being bought world wide (around 85% of the trees sold in the U.S are imported from China), it's a no brainer how the shipping impacts the environment.
4. Because of what they're made from, it means they're not recyclable, and end up getting thrown into a landfill ... to just sit there. Yes you might use it 'for life', but it still ends up in a dump. A problem, as mentioned in a previous blog regarding the implications of plastic in our oceans.
5. They don't have the aroma of a real tree!

Now, to those that say it's not good for the environment to have real trees, here's why you might be proved wrong:

1. Real trees can and are being recycled in many different ways; they are turned into mulch (a material applied as a layer on top of soil to help retain moisture, and improve the health and fertility of the soil); or made into wood chips used for a variety of things such as playgrounds and hiking trails.
2. One tree absorbs more than 1 ton of CO₂ throughout its lifetime. Considering there's over 350 million Christmas trees growing in the U.S alone, on a global scale that's a lot of carbon dioxide we can continue to absorb. Just one acre of these trees produces a daily amount of oxygen for 18 people- that's awesome! 
3. The farming of Christmas trees is sustainable- for every one tree that gets used, three seeds are planted.
4. By buying a real tree you're boosting the economy a significant amount, and keeping a lot of farms in business.
5. They provide a natural habitat for many species.

Real trees do have their own problems though, I'll give you that!

1. If they're not farmed organically, pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides will be used - not great for the health of critters, or humans. Make sure your tree is approved by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
2. If your tree isn't bought from a local farm, then it will also have a carbon footprint.
3. And yes, they can be messy buggers! Especially if you have a cat! (Here's some humorous photos to back up my point)

There is a third option, to buy a potted, living tree. The downside to this is the space needed to host a tree for longer than the Christmas period, especially if you don't have a garden to plant it in! However, some parks are able to take them from you to plant if you don't have the space. Here's a list of places you can take your tree after the festive season in London.

Whichever tree you opt for, I hope you have a Merry Christmas!