by Marta Meggiolaro.
Plastic or natural? Both choices are good, if made consciously.
The time has come to prepare the Christmas tree, but this could give rise to a small dispute between those who favor potted pine trees and those who prefer artificial ones. The good news is that there is no one choice that is better than the other: you can be ecological in both cases, respecting your needs and tastes.
The magic of Christmas also comes from its symbol: the tree
Tree decorations are a tradition that has been passed down in the family
TRIMMED TREE
Buying a top (the tip of a fir or pine cut specifically for the Christmas period) can be, for many, a questionable choice. In fact, it has some very good arguments in favor. The buds come from controlled forests: the label with which they are sold indicates the place of origin. Another interesting aspect is that the buds, after Christmas, can be thrown into the greenery and enter one of the most effective recycling cycles. Unfortunately, however, being detached from the tree and in a hot environment, it dies and loses many, many needles.
The ropes are fixed to wooden supports: the first thing to check carefully
The first step is to place the lights: the new models have timers to control energy consumption and are LEDs
TREE IN POT
Those who love the natural will choose a root ball tree: there are many nurseries that grow them. The cost depends on the time and care in cultivation, as well as on the size and shape. It also depends on the variety, which can be more or less valuable. In any case, you bring a living being into your home, which needs some precautions in order to survive.
The advice is to acclimatise the plant in a closed, illuminated but not heated place for two weeks. Close to the holidays, it can be moved indoors, away from heat sources, hydrating it often. Stress manifests itself above all with the loss of needles: the period at home must be as short as possible and, before bringing it back to the garden, another intermediate step is necessary, as at the beginning; then it can be placed outdoors. You will have to wait for spring to plant it in the open ground.
The Christmas trees in root ball come from nurseries specialized in this cultivation
PLASTIC TREE
Plastic is also a green choice: an artificial tree has an almost unlimited lifespan and protects natural ones from being cut down and from the thermal shock they suffer in homes. Purchasing a beautiful plastic tree involves a relatively high expense: an intelligent and sustainable investment if it is “spread” over many years. However, it is still plastic, and the disposal of this material is much more difficult than organic material. The artificial tree must therefore be treated with care and made to last as long as possible.
Artificial trees offer many more possibilities in terms of color and shape
Photo Adobe Stock
