There should be no guilt associated with a cut Christmas tree. They were stigmatized many years ago, when some people believed that they were harvested from forests, and more of them likely were back then. However, most of us now know that, except for a few that actually are harvested from the wild, Christmas trees are grown on farms like most other cut foliage or horticultural crops.
That is how Christmas trees get their nice Christmas tree form. Only spruce and a few types of firs grow so densely and symmetrically in the wild; and spruce are not commonly cut as Christmas trees. Almost all types of Christmas trees need to be pruned or shorn for density, symmetry and maybe even form. Most of the foliage for wreaths and garlands is likewise grown on foliage farms.
Contrary to popular belief, living Christmas trees are no more environmentally responsible than cut trees are. They are farm grown and artificially irrigated exotic (non-native) trees in vinyl cans filled with synthetic media (potting soil) and synthetic fertilizers. Just like cut trees, they need to be shorn unnaturally. Then, after all that effort, most die and get discarded after Christmas anyway.
Those that survive are usually more trouble than they are worth. Because they are exotic, they should not be planted out in the wild. Because their roots are confined, they would not survive without irrigation through the first year anyway. A few types that grow slowly and maintain density might stay potted and be brought in at Christmas for a few years, but that requires diligent maintenance.
The worst problem with living Christmas trees is that they often get planted into home gardens that can not accommodate them. Few people know what kind of tree their living Christmas tree is, or realize how big it can get. Some trees are Italian stone pines or Canary Island pines, which simply get too large. Even junipers, arborvitaes and smaller pines need adequate accommodations. Arborists can attest to damage caused by living Christmas trees in bad situations.
That’s such interesting info about the living trees.
LikeLike
As an arborist, I see it quite often. When I see an Italian stone pine or a Canary Island pine that is too close to a foundation, I can guess that it was once a Christmas tree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh roots, yea, that’s a big problem if their roots are strong.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have tried keeping Christmas trees to reuse but they usually die. I know they are farmed as a crop but I hate the waste of having a tree just for a week or two.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The most common living Christmas trees do not want to stay contained for long. There are a few that can stay contained, but they are uncommon and expensive. Stout cultivars of Colorado blue spruce work nicely, but need to be watered regularly and carefully.
LikeLike
This is great information. Thank you for sharing! I did not know any of this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
When on the farm in NZ I used to just cut a branch from any tree to bring in and decorate. But now I don’t even have an artificial tree I leave all that to the grandkids…
LikeLiked by 1 person