On the surface, it might seem more environmentally friendly to buy an artificial Christmas tree, one that will last for many years, rather than uprooting and buying a new, real tree every year.
But have you heard of renting a tree ? It’s the most environmentally friendly option by far. Read on!
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Buying a real tree, then throwing it out, is no good for the environment.
Christmas tree farms grow thousands of perfect little Christmas trees every year. They’re then bought and, in most cases, discarded. The thought of growing a living tree, just to throw it out after a short time, is pretty depressing.
What about artificial trees?
These trees can last pretty much indefinitely. My parents’ fake tree has been going strong since I was a toddler. Still, these are manufactured using plastics and chemicals, and will someday need to be disposed of.
Let’s talk about renting trees.
Yes, renting trees. It’s an option that’s been growing in popularity for a few years now, and its principle is very simple: you rent a tree to put in your living room, enjoy the Christmassy spirit, and then give it back so it can be re-planted and cared for.
Lots of tree rental places are springing up.
One example is Cotswold Fir in the United Kingdom. While you can rent a different tree every year, there’s also the option to rent the same tree every year. They do grow about a foot a year though, so you’ll want to have high ceilings.
How does it work?
This one’s a bit tricky to explain, because it’s not like you can get a live Christmas tree shipped to your location via Amazon. You’ll need to search your area to see if there are any rental tree services available. From there, it’s straightforward: pay a deposit and pick up your tree.
They’re grown in pots.
This is actually better for the environment than being grown “free-range” because it utilizes resources better. Each pot can be given the perfect amount of soil and fertilizer for the individual tree within it.
They do require some care.
When you buy a live Christmas tree with the expectation of throwing it out, not much thought is given to its care. But when it’s a rental, it’s more important to water it every day, keep it at the correct temperature, and resist the urge to trim it.
It’s important to get the timing right.
Another way to keep a rental Christmas tree in tip-top condition is to time things correctly. Keeping it indoors for more than three and a half weeks isn’t advisable, so it’s critical to return it at the right time.
Once the festive season is over, just take it back.
Around New Year’s, rental Christmas tree places start getting their trees back. From there, they’re re-potted and cared for so they can be used for more Christmases in the years to come.
Would you rent a Christmas tree?
It’s affordable, environmentally friendly, and gives you that authentic Christmas tree scent. To me, it seems like a no-brainer. Would you go this route if the option was available to you? Let us know in the comments below!
