Sustainable Christmas Tree Options and What to Do With Them After the Holidays

As we wise up and get greener with our holiday celebrations, we can feel even more joyous about it all. And, there are so many ways we can go about making a positive change.

Our gifts can be greener, coming from sustainable sources or made from our hearts. Our Christmas decorations can be reimagined, made from upcycled stuff or natural materials. Our Christmas tree ornaments can be made at home instead of bought anew each year, and our holiday menu can be plant-based and easier for the environment. We can even be more sensible about how to wrap our presents.

One of the big questions for keeping the holiday green is how to deal with the tree. The thought of a Christmas celebration without a tree just sounds sad. Unfortunately, Christmas trees can be cloaked in environmental issues. So, it might just be a matter of weighing the options and thinking beyond the holiday season.

The Real Tree Scenario

Real trees, for most, are the dream scenario. They have a lovely smell. They simply feel right. Plus, for every Christmas tree sold, there are usually multiple new Christmas trees planted. More trees are good for the world, right?

Unfortunately, Christmas tree farms tend to use a lot of pesticides, oftentimes polluting local water sources (and, of course, killing animals). They are also grown in large monocultures, replacing biodiverse forests with monocrop tree species.

The other issue is that cut trees become trash after the holiday. They shouldn’t just be thrown into the landfill. They have to be given back to nature so that they can decompose naturally and feed the planet.

Just Going with an Artificial Tree

Artificial trees seem to get around issues with pesticides, and they don’t have to be thrown away at the end of the year. However, they are generally made of petroleum products that will, at some point, contribute to the trash problem in the world.

In order to justify the use of an artificial tree, one would truly have to devote themselves to it, signing up for decades of use to balance out the materials used to make it. If sticking with the same tree for 20 years sounds realistic, then maybe.

The other issue with artificial trees is the shipping miles. More than likely, they are made overseas and require lots of energy to move them around the planet. Real trees can often be purchased locally (Talking Sustainable Christmas Tree Farms-not yet published).

A Secondhand Tree Save Money & the Planet

A good option for those interested in an artificial tree is to take the secondhand route. Rather than using up more resources and creating more trash by buying a new artificial tree, we can prolong the life of one that has already made it through the market and been tossed out by someone else.

Often secondhand artificial trees have only been used once or twice and have plenty of life left in them. They can be relatively easy to find at thrift stores or the various online outlets: eBay, Craigslist, Marketplace, Freecycle, etc.

While these trees will eventually end up in the landfill, at least acquiring them secondhand prolongs the inevitable and fulfills a holiday need at the same time.

Taking a Chance on an Alternative Tree

Then, there is going unconventional with our Christmas tree choices. For Christmas tree purists, this might simply be out of the question, but the kookier among us might enjoy something a little off-kilter.

In this case, we can use scrap lumber, material from tree pruning, newspaper or cardboard, and any other number of repurposed items. This can be a fun project for the family or a couple of roommates, and it avoids creating more trash.

Of course, the rub is that the unconventional tree is more the spirit behind the classic Christmas tree. If that works, then this is a great option. Just remember to recycle and such after the holidays.

Pulling out the Potted Tree

An even better option for those with the space and/or interest is purchasing a potted Christmas tree. Then, this tree can be kept as a potted plant over the holiday and possibly longer. Ultimately, it can be planted to live out its life as a full-blown tree.

Generally, Christmas trees take a few years to get to marketable size, but it’s good form to buy a smaller potted tree and keep it around for a few years. Otherwise, you’ll have to find somewhere to plant a new tree every year, and they do eventually become large.

For those with a place or the space to plant trees, this is a fantastic option.

The fact that we are considering how to make this choice more sustainable is already a huge positive. Now, it’s just a matter of doing something about, both before and after Christmas, and having a happy holiday, to boot.

Related Content:

• DIY Eco-Friendly Christmas Tree Ornaments & Decorations
• 10 Easy DIY Christmas Tree Decorations
• A Small, Informative Guide on Dealing With Christmas Trees After Christmas to Lower Their Footprint
• 6 Creative Things to Do With Old Christmas Trees
• 7 DIY Eco-Friendly Unconventional Trees for Xmas

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