The Christmas Tree Dilemma

A Christmas Tree in the White House, by Gary Hines (Henry Holt & Co., 1998, $15.95), tells how President Theodore Roosevelt banned a Christmas tree in the White House for conservation reasons -- much to the dismay of his children, who defied their father by sneaking a tree into their room. Today, very few ornamental holiday spruces, pines, and firs come from forests, but that doesn't mean they come without environmental costs.

Nearly all cut Christmas trees in American homes, about 33 million a year, are farmed on one million acres of U.S. land, according to the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA). Typically, these tree plantations concentrate a single -- often non-native and fast-growing -- species onto a large plot of land. While many tree farms have been planted on previously clearcut land, some farmers may cut existing forest to establish plantations, Richard Spencer, programs director of EarthCulture, suspects. Herbicides such as Roundup™ (glyphosate) are used to eliminate competitive weeds, while insecticides control bugs that damage and curl leaves. "A tree farm is not a forest; it's not even a home for birds and other species," Spencer says.

Artificial Christmas trees are fire- retardant and can be used for years, though on average, artificial trees are discarded at the tender age of six, according to NCTA. But they're made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which produces cancer-causing dioxin during manufacture and incineration. Some manufacturers, such as National Tree Company, use recycled PVC in their artificial trees. Still, it's a nonrenewable, non-biodegradable resource.

A better choice, live potted Christmas trees, available at farmers' markets, gardening centers and some tree farms, can later be planted outdoors, in the yard, a school or park (check if your parks department will accept donated trees). Or, before discarding your cut tree, check with your department of sanitation or public works, which may recycle cut trees into mulch or stack them as "fences" to prevent coastal erosion, as is done in southern Louisiana.