Out of the Bag: The Great Christmas Tree Debate
It is a little amazing how often we ask this question: real v artificial?
When it comes to Christmas trees, this pops up each year. We'll do a quick rundown of the pro's and con's, then get to the issue which concerns us.
Real: support local biz, no emissions in "production," can be recycled (actually, reused), help with cultivating forest growth,
Artificial: can be reused indefinitely
The con's in both cases involved the true carbon footprint - not only production use of fuels and emissions, but also the transportation, the packaging, the impact on the health of the household, the effort to maintain, etc.
It does boil down to real trees being a greener choice with some caveats - buying locally grown trees and ... how you dispose of it.
"Recycling" trees usually means chipping them into mulch. However, chipping a pine tree can be gummy and messy for commercial chipping businesses so the real cost of cleaning their equipment to return to normal use can increase the cost to the consumer to dispose of the tree. This is one reason many municipalities no longer offer this service. There's also the costs of transporting the tree to the chipper - not everyone has a vehicle for a dying tree and its much less romantic to tie a dead tree to the roof of your car, right?
Real trees are compostable, but composting requires very specific conditions - and a pile of dead trees in a dump is not quite the right thing.
What to do?
- Find out if your municipality does "recycle" trees. Be sure to follow the guidelines - "tree bags" can be less messy in the house, but that tree isn't going to be recycled, its going to be tossed to the side and into the trash. Take a few moments to do it right and sweep up the mess - you'll feel better.
- The City of Pittsburgh typically does *not* collect trees curbside - you have to take them to the recycling centers yourself. In our neighborhood, a neighbor with a truck offered to take everyone's tree - everyone chipped in for the fees. That's a great option, especially for Patch users - put the offer out there to your neighbors!
- You can compost.
- You can create a wildlife habitat but this is really ideal if you live in a rural area b/c the critters you attract may not be desirable.
So what about disposing your artificial trees?
- Is it in good condition? Donate it. Call your favorite charitable org. Take it to a thrift store.
- Can you "trim" the tree to make other things? Perhaps the branches can be a decoration or even a wreath?
- Are the parts recyclable? The post on my parents tree is solid wood. So it can easily be reused. Is the base a recyclable plastic?
As with most things green, it really boils down to the choices we make - and the effort we want to put into it. I encourage you to explore your options and make the greenest decisions you can.
It is not too late to contribute to a holiday project for your neighbors. As Chanukkah ends and we prepare for Christmas, please keep in mind that many of our neighbors are facing a holiday without enough food. Your simple donation can make a huge difference. Please visit www.tote4pgh.com and click Donate for more details.
Local drop-off spots: Animal Nature (Regent Square), EMS Woodland Hills (Woodland Hills), Basket of Pittsburgh (Robinson), Moon Community Library (Moon Township), restaurant ECHO (Cranberry Township), Home Consingments (Swissvale) and many more.
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The Pittsburgh Tote Bag Project collects new and gently used tote bags for distribution to the region's food pantries. We are a project of the Thomas Merton Center. Visit our website for a list of permanent drop-off spots, information on how to organize your own tote bag drive and details on our partnerships with corporations and promotional products items. You can also follow us on Twitter@Tote4Pgh and Facebook.com/Tote4pgh
Scott Baret
12:14 am on Sunday, December 16, 2012
I'll get the ball rolling on the debate.
Most folks are familiar with the old parody "The Twelve Pains of Christmas", especially the second pain, which is putting up lights. I think we can all agree this is one of the worst parts of Christmas, especially if you're crunched for time.
This is why I bought a pre-lit artificial tree. Within fifteen minutes, I had my tree set up and ready to decorate with ornaments. It's also nice to have the same tree every year, since that eliminates the first pain of Christmas, which is finding the tree. My tree is in its second year with many more to come.
However, finding a good artificial tree can indeed be a pain! The trick--go to a place like Pool City specializing in Christmas merchandise. Anything there will likely be higher quality than what the discount stores and home improvement warehouses are offering. You'll pay more for it (my tree, which is a five footer, cost $300) but the quality will be evident both in the grade of materials used and the appearance of the tree.
One warning--the good trees do go quickly. There were a few lines sold out or close to being sold out at Pool City when I bought my tree last year, and I made my purchase in late November.
Of course, nothing can solve the undiscussed thirteenth pain of Christmas--finding a decent star for the tree. I've already been through two...
Sue Kerr
12:25 pm on Sunday, December 16, 2012
So how can you green this, Scott? I have a ten year old prelit tree from Target that's in excellent shape. I use it for displays and events. I hope to get a lot more years out of it, but unsure how I'll repurpose it when I'm done. Thanks for sharing. I'll have to look up the parody ...
Roger
12:37 am on Sunday, December 16, 2012
This is a strange subject for The Thomas Merton Center to be discussing. There is nothing in the history, and nothing on the web site, that suggests embracing anything of Jesus Christ. Christmas is a celebration about the incarnation of Jesus Christ and the Christmas tree is integral to that celebration.
Why would The Thomas Merton Center be concerned about a Christmas tree? It would seem that anything associated with Jesus Christ would never be part of the thinking of those associated with The Thomas Merton Center.
Christmas tree: Live, artificial, decorated or not, ... indeed a strange subject for somebody rejecting the person of Jesus Christ.
Sue Kerr
12:30 pm on Sunday, December 16, 2012
Well, Roger, as I've repeatedly mentioned - The Pittsburgh Tote Bag Project is a secular, grassroots project. Our volunteers come from a wide range of faith traditions and we find common ground in our desire to alleviate hunger and preserve the environment. I invite you to follow us on Twitter and read our blog - we strive to explore the environmental impact of holiday traditions, both for good and ill, in more detail. It is all part of building a culture of reuse.
Thank you for making time to read the TMC website - its wonderful that people make an effort to educate themselves about organizations serving the community even if you differ with our mission and values.
Sue
Roger
7:35 am on Monday, December 17, 2012
I see you choose not to answer the questions directly, but I understand wanting to deflect.
Sue, I see nothing on the website embracing any part of the person of Jesus Christ. Why would The Merton Center be concerned about the celebration of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ?
Maybe the better question: Why would The Merton Center choose to be dishonest in their positions on these matters? Yes, it is simple dishonesty -- trying to separate out parts of a narrative for unrelated reasons. Would you consider baking a chocolate cake without chocolate? Would you consider playing a baseball game without a baseball? Why would you consider celebrating Christmas without the person of Jesus Christ?
Every year around this time, much talk comes forth in many places about this being stressful part of the year. Of course, the follow question: Why? Could it be that people approach the Christmas season with expectations based around something OTHER THAN the person of Jesus Christ? The stress is undoubtedly caused by unmet expectations, a hollowness of having no substance. Trying to celebrate Christmas, whether it be live tree, artificial tree, or no tree, for reasons other than the foundational underpinnings has to be lonely and without fulfillment, all based upon externals.
Mimi B.
3:58 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Thomas Merton was an Catholic Trappist Monk who died in 1968. He was known for his pacifism and promoting social justice. Nothing Christlike about that, Roger?
Roger
4:32 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Mimi, what you say may be true about Thomas Merton. If what you say would be important, the teachings of Jesus would be a primary message on the web site.
See comments to Mike below regarding a peace that was the message of Jesus.
Ed M
10:06 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Why is this a secular project? We would not be celebrating Christmas if Jesus had not been born. There is nothing secular about it. Thomas Merton is probably rolling over in his grave. Using the excuse of finding a common ground is nothing more than a cop out.
Mike
4:00 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Roger - Jesus was supposedly a pretty big fan of peace.
It took me 2 seconds to look at Thomas Merton's website to see that they're also big fans of peace.
Also, Jesus didn't know anything about Christmas trees either. Unless, he spent those lost years hanging out with the Celts in Germany
Roger
4:30 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Mike,
Understanding what the Bible says, rather than explantions with "supposedly" is a better approach to explain Jesus' words. Luke 12:51, as Jesus was speaking, " Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division." Matthew 10:34, "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." These are only two, of many, similar references. Other references in the Bible speak about His message being an offense that would bring division between peoples. To be sure, He spoke often about peace, but a peace between mankind and the Father. Romans 5:1, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ..." Romans 14:7, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, ..." The primary peace that Jesus wants for His people is one between man and the Father. Yes, He speaks about peace between men, but His primary message focused on peace with the Father. Trying to bridge a gap between the peace which Jesus provides, and pacifism will never work. Sorry, stick to the Bible for the principles and not what other "supposedly" tell you.
Mimi B.
1:26 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
People like Roger are one of the reasons why I am an atheist.
Ed M
1:50 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
What are the other reasons, Mimi B.?
Roger
8:46 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012
Mimi, while I would sometimes like to think I am important, I hold no weight on your eternal destiny.
The argument that "because of person X, Y, or Z, I am an atheist," is a more than dumb argument. The words of X, Y, or Z, the actions of X, Y, or Z have zero to do with your personal salvation. This is why those who claim atheism are suspect. Clearly, they do not understand what they claim to reject. Further, they never accept the challenge to put forth their own belief system, the foundation of that belief system, and their final destiny (and why).
Claiming atheism has become merely a badge of honor, attempting to claim a high ground. But, we only hear what they say they don't believe, but are silent on the other side, what they do believe.
I have read comments and had dialogue with many who claim atheism, and yet celebrate Christmas (tree, gift shopping, Christmas parties, etc). This is a sure mark of confusion. How can these folks be so dishonest with themselves? Maybe it is one of the reasons why people are stressed out during this time of the year -- carrying a burden of doing things that are contradictory to what they believe.
Mimi B.
2:30 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
I don't think I could fully explain why I am an atheist on this comment board, but here is one example: read the Old Testament. The "God" in the OT is petty, vengeful, and a serious killing machine. I can't find anything I want to "worship" in that.
Yuri G.
11:20 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
I prefer an artificial tree as I see no point in chopping down a perfectly good tree just to use it for a few weeks and toss out. We have used the same tree for going on 10 years now and hope to use it until it cannot be used any more.
And to get in on the rest of the action here, I am a hardcore atheist (hardcore, grrr!) and I do call it a Christmas tree. I also sometimes say Merry Christmas and often Merry Chrimbus and an occasional Happy Saturnalia. It depends who I am talking to. To me, personally, the Jesus stuff holds the same weight as the Santa stuff. I'm not going to knock you for believing in either, but I will roll my eyes at you as you pray or write a letter to Santa. Happy Festivus!