O, Christmas Tree

Over the years we have had many different kinds of trees for the Holidays:  fresh cut, live, and plastic.  We started out with freshly cut trees and ended up with plastic mainly for the convenience that was not necessary

an ecologically sound decision.

Once we found out about live trees, we bought five spruces in five years and planted them in our front yard to shield the house from the afternoon sun.  The house was eventually sold and the trees cut down.  

With our first live tree, I remember that we had a difficult time finding a suitable container for the tree.  When we brought the tree inside, Sir Henry, our stubborn wire haired terrier, found the tree to good use; cocked his leg and marked it.  (See more about Sir Henry in my blog on May 7.)

In Florida, we used cedar trees and we planted them in front of the house to protect it from the blazing sun. While Christmas trees grow, they also absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.  While our house was rented out, one cedar tree was cut down and removed while the other two were severely trimmed.  Some people were afraid that ghosts and goblins might hide amid the cedar trees' lovely branches.  

Now we have an artificial Christmas tree with plastic and lots of metal parts that require valuable resources and energy to produce. The Montreal-based consulting firm Elipsos with expertise on sustainable developments maintains that an artificial tree would have to be re-used for twenty (!) years before it becomes the better environmental choice between live and plastic.

Whatever kind of Christmas tree you have, 

enjoy its lovely branches covered with small bright lights. 

Thank you for visiting my blog.