If you prefer a real tree to one of the countless alternative options, do you buy Certified Organic or Certified Naturally Grown trees? Do you know the difference? The New York Times breaks it down and helps explain where your natural tree might be coming from...
Basically, the difference between a Certified Organic tree and a tree that is Certified Naturally Grown is in the size of the growing organization. Both follow the same basic requirements — trees are raised without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers and the farmers and growers use sustainable methods like composting and erosion control. Certified Organic farms pay a licensing fee to the Agriculture Department’s organic certification program while the national Certified Naturally Grown organization is mostly made up of small farmers and growers getting around the fee and "complicated record-keeping."
The article includes interviews with local growers and talks about the industry at a national level. Check it out:
How Green Can a Christmas Tree Be?
Pics: Steve Dixon, Herminio Martinez
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
yeah. nothing better than watching a beautiful tree die slowly in your living room.
view mia kepia's profile
Now I buy my trees at ikea, but all of my cousins actually take them from my grandparents' property - they planted them when we were born, and as my cousins have gotten their own places, they've taken their own trees.
view anaximander's profile
My home town has many organic tree farms and it is one of the major industries of the province. The farms I know pay a lot of attention to land management and keeping wildlife in the areas. If they were not there another company may not treat the environment so well. I think its far better than an artificial tree.
view Hollie's profile
Well, taken literally......How green can a Christmas tree be? Not as green as the doctored color in the bottom photo. lol.
view djrich4's profile
I like the idea of a real tree, but my hospital stay from the tree's sap would overshadow any joy I got from it in the 5 minutes it would take for the ambulance to get here.
view TheMia's profile
My biggest peeve with trees is the way so many growers trim them to have a "perfect" shape! Those oddball branches that stick out a bit to far are not only natural, but they are great spots to highlight favorite ornaments.
For the record, when I can a get my tree from a farm near Danbury CT -- worth the drive to cut it yourself, cheap, and fresher than fresh! And the trees are not buzzed to perfection!
view Mid-C Frank's profile
I love my artificial pre-lit tree. I purchase fresh wreaths from a local charity so I get the evergreen scent while helping out a good cause.
view Seaside's profile
i'm sorry, but why in the hell would it matter if the tree is organic or not? you're not eating it and as far as pollution goes, well by purchasing a tree you're contributing to the pollution.
i hate fake liberals
view elinka189's profile