Should you consider a real tree this holiday season?
By Catalin Varela
Yes, absolutely! But cutting holiday trees kills the earth, right? Well, here are a few reasons why you should fall off the artificial tree bandwagon and consider a real tree this holiday season:
First of all, they’re just so much fun to pick out! You can’t trade a trip to the tree farm with the family for a quick sprint to Walmart. Picking out the tree is an entire experience in itself.
Believe it or not, having a real tree in your home can improve your health. In addition to making your home look and smell great, that tree is hard at work converting carbon dioxide to oxygen…improving the air quality and health in your home.
Contrary to popular belief, real trees are far more sustainable when it comes to Mother Earth. Evergreen tree farms do not contribute to deforestation, as they are often located where soil is not suitable to grow anything else and are planted as an ornamental crop specifically for Christmas. Additionally, real trees are biodegradable, so the carbon footprint and impact on the environment is much smaller than that of its artificial tree counterpart.
Lastly, by purchasing a tree from a local farm, you are improving the economy and supporting small, local businesses. Two things you can never go wrong with.
Okay, I’ve convinced you that you may want to consider a real tree…but now how do you take care of it? As someone who can’t keep a rock alive, I can tell you it’s not that difficult. Just like with flowers, make sure to trim a little off the trunk of the tree when you get home to keep it fresh. Of course, keep an eye on the stand and make sure to refill the water when it is looking low. Lastly, don’t go overboard with the lights! Though its unlikely you’ll have a problem in this day and age of LED lights, piling on the strands may start to become hazardous.
All this being said, with any good story there is another side. Artificial trees can be easier on the budget. They are also beneficial if a family member experiences allergies, and they do require less upkeep.
Whichever tree you choose, I hope it brings joy and smiles to everyone in the home! Share pictures of your family and the tree with us on Facebook and Instagram with the handle @CastlePinesConnection.
