How green is your Christmas tree?

Experts are divided on the long-standing question of whether to buy a fresh-cut live tree or a plastic artificial one. Many don’t approve of buying fresh trees, which are grown for years -- often with the aid of pesticides -- before being cut down and shipped thousands of miles to Christmas tree lots. Once the holidays are over, the trees are tossed to the curb and often wind up in a landfill.

But before turning around and picking up an artificial tree, consider this: Many fake trees are made of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, which can contain harmful chemicals. And even though you’ll probably use the tree for years, eventually it’ll have to be thrown away.

"Christmas trees in general are just bad news," said Damien Somerset, a Hollywood new media producer and environmentalist. "If you can, I would say avoid a tree -- of any kind."

But for many Americans, a tree is a must-have Christmas tradition. So when shopping for that perfect fresh-cut tree, consumers should ask where the trees came from and whether pesticides were used to help them grow, said Paul McRandle, deputy editor of National Geographic's the Green Guide.

"A third option that is even better, but requires a little more work, is to get a live tree in a pot, take that home and put your lights and your ornaments on it," McRandle said. "The idea is after Christmas, you just plant it in your yard. That would be probably the greenest option."

To brighten your tree, green website Eco-Artware.com sells ornaments made from old record labels, wood Scrabble tiles and tea bags. If you’re into crafts, many designs can be replicated with knick-knacks from around the house, a glue gun and some string.

To reduce your energy use, McRandle recommends using LED (light emitting diode) lights instead of traditional incandescent ones. Also keep an eye out for items featuring an "Energy Star" label, which identifies energy-efficient products. After you hang Christmas lights, make sure to set them on a timer and turn them off during the day and when you go to sleep at night.

-- Andrea Chang

Photo: LED lights conserve energy and are brighter than conventional lights used on Christmas trees. They can be used in both indoor and outdoor decorating. Credit: Carlos Chaves / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Sherry]

I think I have the greenest Christmas Tree anywhere this year because I am not having Christmas. My tree is staying in the box, there will be no lights. There will be no gasoline used to go get presents because I can't afford presents. How is that for green???Very I think. OPEC has us over a barrel literally. This past year the high cost of gas seriously damaged our economy and society as well. Everything, and I mean everything costs more now as a direct result of high fuel costs. From farming to manufacturing and shipping the costs were all directly passed on to us. Now that gas has come down a tad, have you seen the prices of groceries come down. NO! And, OPEC is planning more cuts in production to get prices back up. I just finished a new book by Jeff Wilson called The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence Now. www.themanhattnaprojectof2009.com. It covers every aspect of our oil consumption ..some interesting things I didn't realize is that we are using oil worldwide at the rate of 2X faster than new oil is being discovered. Electric cars would cost the equivalent of 60 cents a gallon to charge at home and that electricity could be generated by wind or solar.

[kel]

This person sounds like they have never had a Christmas tree! ----"If you can, I would say avoid a tree -- of any kind." That is crazy! Bah Humbug to them!

[camilo]

my family cuts down our own tree with permits from the forestry service. There are special restrictions such as size etc...however it helps thin the forest in areas with high fire danger. i personally don't ever have a xmas tree however i think what my family does is the best option...also it's nice to walk through the forest in search of your own real tree...it's cheaper, it's greener, and helps protect our forests in the long run.

[Earle]

From satellite imagery and population statistics, the scientific method has recenty shown 61 trees per inhabitant on this planet. Destroying a juvinile conifer (lifespan ~500years) should be done with utmost respect.

[Earle]

From satellite imagery and population statistics, the scientific method has recenty shown 61 trees per inhabitant on this planet. Destroying a juvinile conifer (lifespan ~500years) should be done with utmost respect.

[perry]

We have always bought live potted trees and planted them after Christmas, usually just before spring.
One of my live trees is now over twenty feet tall.
we love em, and it's good for the environment.
Of course, we usually plant about 10 to 15 trees a year anyway.
Our place is starting to look like the forest it was 45 years ago before the big wild fire came through.
We buy different trees every year but our favorite was the Monterrey pine, which is a giant now.
We have planted every thing from Alberta dwarf spruce, to black Japanese pine to Aleppo and Italian stone pine, and cypress.
Buy a live tree and plant it or give it to a friend who has room to plant it.
its just grand watching them get bigger every year.

[Jeff Palmer]

To correct your article, artificial trees made of polyvinyl chloride or PVC have not been proven to be harmful to human health. What's more, they are more realistic and diverse than ever, will last for years, are made from recycled vinyl, can be recycled when disposed of, and have fire retardant properties.