THE CHRISTMAS TREE BY FIONA CUMMINGS

At this time of year, you may be wondering about your Christmas tree this year? Real, or artificial, so, I thought I would share what I think and see if that helps you to make a decision, I, shall try not to confuse you more than you already are!

So, when it comes to a Christmas tree, where do you stand, real or fake, smile.

 

A Nordman fir tree, has dark green pines and they say they don’t drop, but they say that about all of them. Though these are the real trees we have bought in the past, purely for their scent. Oh, they smell so lovely especially if you have a cool room for them. We kept ours in the conservatory. But to be honest, you can’t really put many decorations on, it hurts. I know… though I also think real trees look best just with lights and perhaps some Victorian decorations. Though another nice idea is to add real foliage to your tree, such as evergreen bushes, ferns or ivy and why not some real holly? Pine cones may be or some small oranges but don’t let them go off on your tree… I don’t like tinsel on real trees but that is just a personal opinion. It’s written to have a tree over 6 feet, you need 300 to 500 lights, but that’s for a real tree, not an artificial one. And if you add the real foliage the night before Christmas, then you will wake up to the wonderful smells of nature, especially if your tree is starting to look a little thin by then. And how about adding fresh flowers? Such as poinsettias or lilies? Oh, I can smell those lilies and see in my mind the reds or whites from the poinsettias.

 

Norway Spruce tree. To me, that sounds the nicest, as I love Norway, no other reason. Smile. Reading about this tree, there is no chat about fragrance, but that doesn’t say there is none. Just they either haven’t written about it, or it really doesn’t have much smell.

  

Cut noble fire Christmas tree. I have never heard of that, have you? Well today I have learned something. It’s a strong tree that has soft needles but they say you can put ornaments on it. And, the best bit, the needles don’t drop. They claim.

 

To care for your tree if you don’t want it with the roots, saw 5 cm from the base of your tree place in a stand with water keeping it topped up. Keep your tree in a cool dry place.

 

If you don’t have room in your house for a tree, then why not buy one with roots then plant it in your front garden? Remember that it could grow as high as your house, so check when you buy it how tall it actually grows. Or buy a small one and put it in a red tub next to your front door, you can buy outdoor lights or even solar power lights if you wish to decorate it. Buy some artificial berries and put them through your tree…

 

So, to decorate your tree. Every year I have memories. I think this is the first year I didn’t cry whilst putting my decorations out. Decorations can hold so many memories. I bought this when I… I got this from…. Such an such bought me that…. And my whoever gave me this from their tree. Wanting to keep in the family. I have all of those memories.  I only wished I had kept something from my Mums tree. She had a trumpet she got when she was a little girl. It was tiny. But sadly, I didn’t get it.

 

It’s nice to have Christmas music playing whilst doing your tree, just as background music. Add your lights first, then use the decorations to try to cover the lights. Then finish off if you have an artificial tree with tinsel.

 

Before you start though, decide what you are putting on the tree. Remember large items on the bottom medium in the middle, then small on the top.

 

When you put lights on your tree, if it’s going in the corner of your room, then you don’t need to put many lights on the back where you won’t see it. As long as you know you are not going to run out of lights by the time you get to the bottom, I always start from the top because then the plug isn’t going to hang from the top. Weave the lights in and out near the trunk too to add depth to your tree.

 

Some lovely looks for your tree are red, white and natural wood. To create a Scandinavian tree.

Most important if you have pets. Make sure your tree is secure and won’t fall. Don’t put those chocolates on your tree.  If your dog has a sweet or inquisitive tooth, they will reach for them and in the meanwhile may get some tinsel and that is where they will end up at the vets. Chocolate can be poisonous to your dogs but tinsel will wrap around their intestines and sadly I have known of many dogs that die this way.

 

So, if you have decided on a real tree and if you buy one with roots to plant, then after say the 26^th, remove it from your house, leave it in a porch or just in your garage. So, still in its pot. Let it get used to being outside. Leave it for a few days.   If you have removed it from its pot, then wrap the roots in a plastic bag.

 

Find the spot in your garden, most trees like a sunny shaded place. Do your research though how tall it will grow.

 

It’s a good idea to dig your hole before the ground freezes. Lower the tree in then cover with soil and leave about 4 cm to pack with mulch.

 

Water regularly especially in the first year. Remove any branches that make your tree look well, not like the shape you would like. May be in the spring give it some nice new soil on the top.

If you want to keep your tree for next year, put it in a large pot of max 45 cm

 

So, from cost to carbon footprint, what should you consider when choosing your tree?

An average artificial tree has plastic all over it. 2 thirds of its carbon footprint, as plastic comes from oil. Another quarter of its environmental impact comes from the industrial emissions produced when the tree is being manufactured. I read that a 6 feet artificial tree, has a carbon footprint of 40 kg, of greenhouse gas emissions. Which is more than twice of a real tree that ends up in landfill.

And more than ten trees that are burned.

So, if you have an artificial tree at home, you will have to use it for ten years to keep its environmental impact lower than that of a real tree

A real tree that is the same size, without roots, 6 feet, has the equivalent carbon footprint of as 16 kg of greenhouse gas.

 

The tree decomposes and produces methane gas which is 25 times more potent than a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.

If you use your tree to burn to use to put around your soil, that will reduce the footprint up to 80%.

When real trees dry out, they become quite flammable. Artificial trees are safer these days. For those who have allergies, then an artificial tree is the best.

To buy an artificial tree though saves you a fortune if, you keep it for up to ten years. And to be honest, I believe after about seven years, the artificial trees are starting to look a little shabby… that may be the number of toys I put on ours though…

 

Artificial trees don’t drop their needles all over the floor. But the look, texture and smell of a real tree, is so special. But I would buy one with roots. You also have to think about how you are going to get rid of a real tree after Christmas.

 

The thought of going out with your loved ones to pick your tree is really special. I would avoid garden centres though, as they charge over the top and the trees are not as good as you get from a Christmas tree farm or even your local DIY shop.

So, a plastic tree you don’t have to go out and buy it. You can hang anything from them and they don’t drop needles.

A real tree smells  so very good and looks really lovely and if you get one with roots, you have a tree forever in your garden.

 

Well, whatever you pick, enjoy it. Love your tree. I love ours. And the memories we create with it.