A Sustainable Christmas Tree

I just finished reading an article about the most “sustainable” way to have a Christmas tree. I’m certainly not here to judge anyone’s tree or how organic or sustainable it should be. However, I do remember my favorite trees as a child and I believe they came pretty close to the Sierra Club’s definition of “sustainable.” Today those trees surround the house where I grew up. The last time I drove by they seemed to be healthy, stately and still very beautiful.  

When my parents were in the middle of their lives, the family would gather after Thanksgiving to pick out a live Christmas tree. I can remember Blue spruce, Fraser firs, and Douglas firs. These were all plentiful in that part of western Pennsylvania.  Before picking out our tree, my father would dig a large hole so it would be ready when the time came to plant the tree outside. He reminded us that, once the ground was frozen, the job would be much more difficult. We would then decorate the live tree inside with its earth-bound ball intact and keep it watered until it was time to carry it out and plant it in the hole. This was no job for the weak. Today most of those trees–and there are still many of them–have grown to tower over our former house on Greenhill Drive. They are a joy to see and remember.

This Sunday is the third Sunday in Advent and we call it “Gaudete” Sunday. That is Latin for “rejoice.” This Sunday we anticipate the birth of the Christ Child. Finding the beautiful tree and then planting it is a joyful and life-affirming action. But if that doesn’t work for you, who doesn’t have room for a beautiful red amaryllis? Or even a single blooming rose!

I wish you and your friends and family great joy now and throughout the Christmas season.

Linda & Gregory