Are Christmas Trees Bad for the Environment?
Many people may think that buying a real Christmas tree is bad for the environment, but in reality it is not. In fact, many people are making the change from a fake to a real tree in order to save a small environmental footprint. You can also help preserve natural habitats by being sure to recycle your tree! These trees have been around for years and have been cherished by families for generations. They have never been more popular than they are today with so many great options to choose from!
In fact, according to numerous studies, real Christmas trees are actually better for the environment than artificial ones. In fact, a recent study from the University of Ohio found that artificial Christmas trees produce 2-3 times as much greenhouse gas emissions as a live tree. Furthermore, a University of Michigan study showed that a live tree releases 2.1 pounds of CO2 per hour while artificial trees release an average of 7.2 pounds of CO2 per hour.
So christmas trees are in fact environmentally friendly , according to the experts at GardenExpress.co.uk.
Reusing and replanting their trees are just two of the many ways you can help fight climate change this Christmas season.
“It’s understandable why people assume buying genuine Christmas trees is bad to the environment, yet it’s exactly the reverse.”
Chris Bonnett from GardeningExpress.co.uk,
It can take up to eight years for growers to produce a large Christmas tree. During this time the process of photosynthesis, in which a tree absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releases oxygen is on going. To put it simply, the more genuine trees we buy, the more that can be planted in their place, which means that they can continue to exhale oxygen, which slows climate change.
Christmas trees will be purchased by thousands of families around the country this season, making it a great opportunity to take these simple efforts that will contribute to a larger change in addressing climate challenges.”
Buy a genuine tree.
Farms will be able to grow more trees if you buy a real one, and the tree may be recycled when the holidays are over.
Artificial trees may be reused but new ones are trashed and end up in landfills for hundreds of years, so if you want to save money, buy a used one instead.
How to Reuse Your Tree
Genuine trees may be recycled once they’ve been used.
It’s possible to grind your tree into mulch at yourself if you have a shredder, but it’s also possible to have a company come and do it for you.
To avoid jamming the machine, cut each branch and insert it one at a time into the shredder, following the proper safety procedures. It is possible to safeguard your plants by using mulch in your garden.
The process of replanting your roots
If you buy a genuine tree, you can always plant it again.
As long as it has been properly cared for, you can transplant a tree purchased with its root ball intact. As long as the tree has been maintained away from heat sources, it will be fine for planting.
It’s important to bear in mind that trees may only be maintained indoors for a maximum of one to two weeks before being replanted outside.
The branches might be a useful tool.
Christmas tree branches may be used to keep garden beds warm in the winter by resourceful gardeners. The branches can be utilised as a framework for a frost-proof cloth.
Plant a tree of your own.
This is a great suggestion for families with small children, since planting a tree together can be a wonderful experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the use of real Christmas trees is not as detrimental to the environment as most people may believe. The majority of a tree’s lifecycle will be spent in the ground, sequestering carbon. The lifespan of a tree can also be prolonged by planting it outside after usage.
After an unusual Christmas last year, many people are eager to have a real tree for this year’s festivities
Even though it takes around eight years to grow, nothing is more exciting for kids than opening a Christmas tree that they helped to create.
