Every year, for as long s I can remember I have cut down a Christmas tree from a farm to put up in our house. My father always took us as kids, and I love to carry on that tradition. There is nothing like the smell of a fresh cut tree in your house at Christmas time.
This year was no different, except the weather was miserable, it has been raining all day today. Nonetheless, we had already planned to all (my husband’s whole family) go up to Pennsylvania today to get our trees. We ride about an hour up to Pennsylvania to get a tree for $40 rather than $85! This year I checked the website before we went to see if there was any information on the “environmentally-friendliness of cutting a tree” for the holidays. Here’s what they had to say:
A traditional, natural, Real Christmas Tree is not only the best way create the unmistakable holiday atmosphere in your home, with its authentic look, feel, and scent, it’s also the most beneficial option for the environment.
- Real Christmas Trees benefit the environment while they are growing, absorbing carbon dioxide and emitting fresh oxygen.
- Real Christmas Trees are renewable, grown on farms like any other crop, with one to three new seedlings planted for every harvested tree.
- Real Christmas Trees are recyclable, since they can be converted into other beneficial products like mulch.
- Real Christmas Trees help preserve green spaces, since they are frequently grown in soil that is not suited to other crops.
Last Year's Christmas Tree- Connor was 1 week old!
Christmas 2008
This year I didn’t take any photos of the tree we cut down. Actually I didn’t even see it before it was cut. Connor and I stood under the barn shelter while Daddy went to find a tree in the rain. It really was a horribly miserable day!
Do you cut down your own tree each year? If you do, do you know if your local recycling center takes the trees to recycle after the holiday?
Hi, I'm Rachel, the author of Happy Green Babies. Here you will find an array of tips, tools and suggestions for raising a green baby! This site chronicles the life of myself, my husband and our two boys in our "green" household. We aren't perfect, but we learn more each and everyday. This is why I created this blog, so that you can learn more too! My interests include attachment parenting, cloth diapers, babywearing, cooking organic/whole foods, and many more.