It's Christmas Time!

[m2violin]

. . . and I'm thinking of buying a real Christmas tree this year.  For years I went to the lot at 41st & Harvard to purchase a real Christmas wreath for my front door.  Unfortunately, they're not at that location any longer, and I can't remember where they've moved to.  Can anyone jog my memory to let me know where they've moved?  It seemed to me they had a very good selection of trees.

If they're not in busniess any longer can anyone recommend another good Christmas tree lot?  I don't want to purchase those supermarket Christmas trees, since they're always dry and I'll probably have to throw it out before Christmas.   

Thank you for any advice you can provide-I've already gotten some good advice on this board!

[RecycleMichael]

This is a column I wrote last year for Tulsa County News...

This week's column might make some of you mad at me for messing with your family Christmas tradition. I apologize in advance. You see, I don't believe in the whole Christmas tree tradition. I think it is stupid to kill a tree and set it up in our living rooms to celebrate a holiday.

I guess I don't understand the reasons. I've heard about the beginnings of the custom, where ancient Greeks and Romans worshipped evergreens and a German saint found pagans worshipping tree and cut it down. I have read where Martin Luther was inspired by the moonlight glow on snow covered fir trees and brought one inside to tell his story of inspiration to children. All of these stories are readily promoted by the tree-growers to promote the sale of dead trees. I don't disbelieve them; I just don't feel compelled to follow their bad example by killing something in the name of Jesus, then dragging it into my home to be used for just a decoration.

I have to admit to being a hypocrite. We have a tree. My wife and kids often outvote me on such matters, but at least our tree is a nice artificial one that doesn't require me to chop down a living one each year. Having a fake dead tree is acceptable and at least I don't have to water it. There is something terribly ironic that the only tree that most of us ever water is the dead one in our home during December.

I am thankful for the tree growers even if there purpose seems odd to me. Each day the trees are growing they are absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. They are adding beauty to our earth and giving birds and bugs a place to live. I do understand that we chop down trees for many valid reasons, including building homes for people, but chopping them down for decoration just seems wrong.

This year, we should all give a gift to our lawn and neighborhood by planting a live tree outside. For every one we cause to be chopped down, we should take responsibility for replacing it with one that will live for many Christmases to come. The newly planted tree will become a home for many creatures needing a place to be for the holidays as well.  That is a holiday wish that even I can support.

[pmcalk]

RM--I know we have this argument every year, but I would still insist that a locally grown & harvested tree is a much better choice environmentally than a fake tree--even the local home depot tree is probably a better choice.  Most fake trees are made with PVC, and are produced in China.  The huge amount of energy that is required to make, transport, and dispose of a fake tree far outweighs any benefit of reusing it for 10 to 15 years.  It may be a strange tradition, but using live trees creates a market for growing trees.  And the more people who buy the trees, the more the tree farmers will plant.

There are several places near Tulsa to cut down your own tree.  You can look them up here:

http://www.pickyourownchristmastree.org/OKxmastrees.php

[RecycleMichael]

Locally grown trees are good choices, but unfortunately, most of the trees at tree lots are grown many states away. The energy used and pollution created to ship in trees from Oregon each year far outweigh the cost of a reusable tree.

I think the best choice is always going to be to plant your own tree. Give your yard and neighborhood a gift and decorate it.

There is very little environmental about celebrating Christmas in America. Unneeded and unwanted gifts are put into specially purchased boxes and wrapped in unrecyclable paper...and the gifts often use harmful batteries and are manufactured in countries far from here. Even our electric bills skyrocket this month in a contest to see which neighbor can put out the most lights...

I would prefer no tree, instead opting for other symbols of the Christmas season. Unfortunately for me, my wife has announced that she has other plans.

[pmcalk]

Locally grown trees are good choices, but unfortunately, most of the trees at tree lots are grown many states away. The energy used and pollution created to ship in trees from Oregon each year far outweigh the cost of a reusable tree.

While I don't disagree that locally grown are the best choice, I still disagree with you about importing from Oregon vs. fake trees from Asia made with PVCs (almost all fake trees are made with PVCs).  Slate has a good article comparing the two:

http://www.slate.com/id/2180086/

Remember that, in addition to transporting to your home state, the fake tree has to come over seas, and the amount of energy expended from transporting across the ocean is substantial.  While growing trees for harvesting generally improves the environment, producing fake trees involves using energy and hazardous chemicals.  To truly compare the energy expenditures, you have to account for the manufacturing & overseas travel of the fake trees.  Ultimately, though, it is the PVCs (and possible lead) that makes fake trees such a bad choice.  Eventually, the fake tree will be thrown away, and while the real tree from Oregon can be mulched and returned to the soil, the fake one will be releasing dioxins for years. 

I am not trying to dictate which type of tree people should use.  I just don't think it is a correct statement to say that fake trees are better environmentally.

[tulsa_fan]

check 81st & Mingo

[Noodlez]

I don't have any info on it but a lot is on 31st by the 44 on ramp (just west of Memorial) Seems to recall it being in the same spot many a year.

[RecycleMichael]

Eventually, the fake tree will be thrown away, and while the real tree from Oregon can be mulched and returned to the soil, the fake one will be releasing dioxins for years. 

I don't disagree that proper handling of a real tree makes it a better choice for the environment. But the fact is that most people don't take the time to pick out a locally grown tree nor mulch and return the tree to the soil.

I have just seen too many real trees sprayed with fake snow and covered in tinsel at the curb for the trash crews to believe it is a good environmental choice.

[sgrizzle]

If I planted a tree every year for Christmas I would have to tear down my house to make room.

[Conan71]

I've used a fake tree for about 20 years now and far prefer it over killing a perfectly good tree and bringing a fire hazard into my home on purpose.

Ever see a Christmas tree go up in flames?  I have, it's totally involved in a matter of seconds. 

[buckeye]

Christmas trees grow like weeds.  I have a hard time believing that they as an easily and abundantly renewable resource have greater negative environmental impact than PVC trees.

People still use tinsel and flocking?  Tacky, tacky...

The risk of fire is all but eliminated by LED lights, although those big 1950's blinking heat lamps do look really cool.

[Red Arrow]

Christmas trees grow like weeds.  I have a hard time believing that they as an easily and abundantly renewable resource have greater negative environmental impact than PVC trees.

People still use tinsel and flocking?  Tacky, tacky...

The risk of fire is all but eliminated by LED lights, although those big 1950's blinking heat lamps do look really cool.

Bubble lights were even better.  We didn't have any but  my Uncle/Aunt/cousin did.

[Breadburner]

27th and Harvard.....West side....

[pmcalk]

I've used a fake tree for about 20 years now and far prefer it over killing a perfectly good tree and bringing a fire hazard into my home on purpose.

Ever see a Christmas tree go up in flames?  I have, it's totally involved in a matter of seconds. 

I promise I don't work for the Christmas Tree growers.  But I think it is important to point out that, of approximately 85 million homes that display a tree each year, there are about 400 fires that involve Christmas trees, according to the National Fire Protection Association.  Of those, about 30% start with artificial trees.  Many artificial trees--particularly older ones--are not fire retardant.  Well watered cut trees are actually quite difficult to ignite. 

Again, there are legitimate reasons for choosing a fake tree (I tell myself that every year as I try to get the sap off of my clothes).  But being the being the environmentally better or safer choice is not really one of them.

[Conan71]

I promise I don't work for the Christmas Tree growers.  But I think it is important to point out that, of approximately 85 million homes that display a tree each year, there are about 400 fires that involve Christmas trees, according to the National Fire Protection Association.  Of those, about 30% start with artificial trees.  Many artificial trees--particularly older ones--are not fire retardant.  Well watered cut trees are actually quite difficult to ignite. 

Again, there are legitimate reasons for choosing a fake tree (I tell myself that every year as I try to get the sap off of my clothes).  But being the being the environmentally better or safer choice is not really one of them.

I also happen to have skin allergies to pine needles, and yes, I hate getting tree sap on my hands!  It sucked having little red bumps up and down my arms after decorating and after tear-down.  FWIW, one of my drunk friends set a spent tree on fire at my curb, it did not happen in the house, and no, the neighbors were not amused, though I have to admit the burned out hulk was the perfect marker of a "successful" holiday party the next morning.

I'll stick to my fake tree.