It happened to me on Saturday. I really wasn’t expecting it, but I woke up with the holiday spirit. Suddenly I was filled with thoughts of eating, drinking, merriment, giving gifts and holiday decorations. I spent much of the weekend getting started on my Christmas shopping and preparing for Thanksgiving dinner. It’s safe to say that nobody will be hungry (or thirsty) if they visit my house any time in the near future.
Like many people, we buy our Christmas tree shortly after Thanksgiving, and each year we get a live tree. Not a cut tree, but a live tree that has been dug up and will be replanted after Christmas. This will be our 10th year of planting our tree after Christmas, so we have a nice little collection. I shouldn’t say “little” because many of them are quite big by now. I even get a little sappy (wow-I really didn’t intend that pun) when I see the biggest one, the one we planted our first Christmas in our house, the year that my oldest daughter was born.
It took us a number of years buying from local nurseries and tree farms until we found the place that had good quality trees at a reasonable price. There are a few special rules, but really it’s easy to care for a live tree. Before the ground freezes, we dig a hole, and we plant it the week after Christmas. I never thought you could plant a tree in the winter, but since they’re dormant when they’re dug up, and dormant when they’re planted, they’re perfectly happy when they wake up in the spring. If you have a strong back and space for a tree, I highly recommend a live tree – just be sure to buy a variety that will thrive in your yard.
If you get a cut tree, “treecycle” it when Christmas is over. Trees are biodegradable and recyclable, and there are many ways to recycle cut trees. Many local governments have programs to turn your old Christmas tree into mulch for community parks, or to control erosion, and even to provide habitat for fish. Check with your local waste authority to see if your community has a Christmas tree recycling program. This kind of seasonal program keeps holiday trees out of the landfills and helps municipalities save money by reducing disposal fees.
What do you do with your used tree?