By Lou Stemmler
Do your holiday plans include a tree and, perhaps, other forms of greenery? Let’s take a look at some environmentally friendly options.
First, paper or plastic? If you already own an artificial tree, by all means, keep using it. The longer the “life” your artificial tree leads before heading off to the dump (recycling is an unlikely outcome in this case), the better. On the other hand, if you don’t already own an artificial tree, let’s go live! Better yet, let’s go living! Even better, let’s go native!
A “live” tree usually refers to a (formerly) living tree that has been cut down and shipped to your corner tree lot (or big-box retailer). As a sharp-minded reader of The Healthy Planet, you have no doubt realized that a “living” tree must refer to a tree that is actually, um, living; a tree in a pot (usually). Generally, this is the most environmentally friendly way to manage this process. If you start with a young and fairly manageable tree, you might celebrate several years with it before providing it a more permanent home in your yard.
If you’re willing to go “living”, how ‘bout doing even better and going native? According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri’s only native pine species is the shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata). (These can grow to 100’, so don’t leave it in your living-room for too long.) Perhaps a better evergreen native to Missouri and Illinois is the red cedar (or Eastern red cedar) (Juniperus virginiana). This one is quite popular in this realm; with its natural shape and pleasant scent, it’s known as the “Southern Christmas Tree”.
One more bit of native good news: when you decide to “haul out the holly”, American holly (ilex opaca) is one of four species native to Missouri. This one is gorgeous, with rich green, spiny leaves and bright red berries. Although they’re great for birds, those berries are toxic for humans and pets, so please be cautious.
When the holidays have wound down, and you’re ready to do the same, your red cedar is a hardy tree; keep it potted or find it a well-placed home in your yard and it will provide shade, privacy, and nutritious juniper berries to our avian friends.
Here’s wishing you gorgeous greenery and happy, healthy holidays!