Living Christmas Trees: An Eco-Friendly Alternative

By Adam Verwymeren, Networx

It’s a cherished Christmas tradition — a freshly chopped tree in the living room filling the home with the scent of the season. But while a time-honored practice, some people are beginning to question the cost of all those felled conifers.

It takes an average Christmas tree about a decade to reach the right height, which is a whole lot of time spent growing just to be put on display in the home for a few weeks before being trucked off to the city dump.

Plastic trees are an alternative, but unless you plan to deck out your fake fir with car air fresheners, you’re not going to get that all-important whiff of Christmas. And all the plastic that goes into a fake tree doesn’t make them any more environmentally friendly.

But a few Christmas tree companies have found an innovative middle ground that doesn’t sacrifice authenticity or the environment. They rent “living Christmas trees,” which are live, potted trees that can be replanted when the holidays are over.

Not only are these trees better for the environment, but because they stay alive through the Christmas season, they stay greener and smell better.

“When you have something alive in the room, it’s a whole different atmosphere than when you have something slowly dying or something plastic,” said Scott Martin, owner of The Living Christmas Tree Co. in Southern California.

Martin’s company drops off the tree in December and then picks it up after the holidays.

“What we do with that tree is after the holiday season: My elves pick it up and we look for reclaimed land and to give it purpose,” Martin said.

Recently he’s worked with Shell Oil to create a small forest on six acres of reclaimed land in South California, and last year alone, the company rented out and planted just over 1,000 trees.

If you don’t have a lot renting trees in your city, don’t worry, said John Fogel, owner of The Original Living Christmas Tree Co. in Portland, Ore. You can always head to a garden center, which is sure to have plenty of potted spruce, pine and fir on hand.

However, if you do plan to get a living tree, take note that it is a little different than a regular cut tree.

“This isn’t for everybody, said Martin. “The tree needs love. They are not a static thing; you need to be willing to be involved in this.”

A potted tree will probably need to be watered more than a regular tree, so make sure to keep the soil damp.

While many people like to get their trees shortly after Thanksgiving, potted trees can’t spend more than about three weeks indoors. A warm home is no different from springtime to a tree. So too much time indoors will cause the tree to start growing, sending out fresh branches that will be damaged when the tree is moved out into the cold.

While many living Christmas tree companies will pick the tree up after the holidays, renters often do have the option of keeping the tree. If you do decide to plant your tree, wait until the ground has fully thawed in the spring; it’s OK to store the tree in the garage through the winter.

Cover the tree with a sheet of burlap once you move it outside, as the sudden shock of full sun can burn the branches, Martin said. Uncover it for a few hours more each day until it gets used to the sun.

Other than that, your tree just needs lots of love.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

LMj S.

11:44PM PDT on Mar 28, 2013

Thank you.

March 28
send a green star

11:43PM PDT on Mar 28, 2013

Nils Anders L.

2:04AM PDT on Oct 9, 2012

October 9
send a green star

Terry V.

3:14PM PDT on Oct 7, 2012

noted

October 7
send a green star

Sarah M.

7:27PM PST on Dec 18, 2011

I was just talking about this with my friend. It's the perfect alternative to a harmful tradition.

December 18
send a green star

Nina A.

9:28AM PST on Dec 12, 2011

Wonderful. Thank you

December 12
send a green star

Debi C.

2:36PM PST on Dec 11, 2011

We used to do something similar to this, we would buy a little pine tree with the root ball still attached, and then plant it in the spring. The dwarf pine in our backyard is one of them, and I love looking at it ^-^

December 11
send a green star

Janet D.

12:21PM PST on Dec 11, 2011

Nothing replaces the childhood memories of going to pick a real tree at the tree lot on a snowy evening. The smell of evergreen filling the air, the feel of the soft, fresh needles (the blue spruce) when decorating, having to put water in the stand, sweeping the needles up after Christmas. It was wonderful as a child and I'll never forget those memories. As an adult I realize that saving our natural environment is more important than having a natural tree, and that having a fake tree can be a good substitute, but as others said, it eventually ends up adding to environmental trash. A live tree sounds good but not everyone has room to plant it afterward. I have a 3 foot tall rubber plant and I draped a string of lights on that and it looks beautiful. Light a pine scented candle or use a pine scented oil warmer and voila! Christmas magic that helps protect the natural environment.

Jo L.

6:56AM PST on Dec 11, 2011

I've suggested this in similar posts and believe its the best option for those who enjoy decorating a tree at Christmas. However, the typical "Christmas Tree" won't live in Miami so we've opted for an artificial one. I tried decorating a palm once, but its not the same and even the small lights were taking a toll on the little tree. If the Christmas Spirit is in your heart, it doesn't matter if the tree is artificial or a twig like Charlie Brown's. But I can't stand the thought of killing a majestic, live tree which serves as food & shelter to so many, to watch it sit in a corner and slowly wither & die. I'd rather believe my artificial tree has allowed some other LIVE tree to go on living!

Jude B.

12:59PM PST on Dec 10, 2011

It's wonderful Idea and if I had a house with a yard, I'd do it. but living in a condo, it's a fire hazard to have a live tree ( not to mention that needles last until the next christmas despite vacuuming) So I have a fibre optic one. my last one lasted for 7-8 years.