There's an old joke that once people get in the holiday spirit in December they can't wait to go out and kill a Christmas tree. Of course tree farmers resent this kind of humour arguing real trees are grown for the purpose to be cut down and enjoyed over the holidays. They claim that real trees are actually better for the environment then plastic artificial trees which will eventually end up in landfill sites. Sales of real trees are up this year by as much as 15 per cent according to tree growers as more Canadians become nostalgic for the smell of pine and spruce at Christmas time.
Not everyone believes it is justified to cut down a tree just to have it in your living room for 3 weeks only later to be tossed by the curb. Many young environmentalists are also against the practice. So what can you do if you want a real tree to enjoy without the guilt of cutting one down? Well now you can rent a tree that will later be replanted when the holidays are over. Two Canadian companies are offering an eco-friendly Christmas tree rental service for the holidays that is a new wrinkle in the real versus artificial debate. For now this is a west coast phenomenon - but you can bet others will get in on this emerging trend in time for next Christmas.
For prices ranging from $25-$125, B.C.-based Carbonsync Christmas will drop off a potted tree at your home or business and pick it up three weeks later after all the presents have been opened
- A Baby Tree (3-4 feet) costs $25, a medium tree (4-5 feet) costs $73 and a full-sized tree (5-7 feet) costs $125.99
- Another B.C. company named Evergrow Christmas Trees Co. offers a similar service for prices ranging from $95-$150 depending on the size of the tree
- Carbonsync gives its trees (roots intact) to habitat restoration groups for replanting after Christmas, while Evergrow will return them to a nursery to be cared for until next Christmas when they may be rented out again
- Trees normally cost four times less on average, but are usually turned into mulch or sent to garbage dumps after the holidays in most North American cities
- The rented trees will also continue to draw CO2 from the atmosphere, doing their bit to help curb global warming instead of ending up as waste
- Similar tree rental services have also recently cropped up in the UK and in select U.S. cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco
Tree Care Information (from Carbonsync)
1. Protect your floor. Trees come with a saucer, but please provide a plastic matt for extra protection.
2. We can provide a white skirt to cover the pot.
3. Minor pruning is okay.
4. Water frequently. 1.5 cups per day for large, 1 cup for medium, 1/2 of cup for small. Keep soil moist. Check for excess water in saucer. Wait until excess water is absorbed before watering more.
5. Control your homes temperature. Keep your tree cool. Place your tree away from heat sources. Place your tree in front of a window. Cover or close nearby heat vents.
6. Use small LED lights
7. Please remove all decorations before returning
Christmas Tree Statistics (Source: Statistics Canada)
- Tree farmers brought in $65 million in 2008 (but about $34.2 million was exported to other countries)
- The value of artificial tree imports to Canada was $46.9 million last year
- Artificial trees found in Canada primarily come from China. About $46.9 million worth of artificial Christmas trees were shipped to Canada in 2008. Of that, approximately $44.8 million worth came from China
- Christmas lovers in the United States bought up nearly $32 million worth of Canadian trees last year
- The year before, Tree farmers brought in $58.6 million in 2007. Canadians spent $44 million on artificial trees in 2007
