December 8, 2008

Death of The Christmas Tree


Every year during the holiday season thousands, upon thousands of innocent evergreens are merclessly chopped down, and shipped to tree lots all across the country. They are then forced to stand in neat little rows as life slowly drains from their branches. So that you, the holiday shopper can select your tree amongst bright christmas lights and cheerful holiday music. But sadly the horror doesn't stop there.
The happy shopper having finally selected their tree, then carelessly hoists it up onto the roof of the car, only then to crudely tie the tree down, so as to prevent escape. The poor helpless tree has to then endure a rough, windy ride. Staring all the while at the blue sky it will never live to see again.
Upon arrival at your home the ritualistic torture of this once majestic tree only continues. The poor little tree is then stuffed into a tree stand, where sharp screws are then twisted into it's fresh tender trunk. Reminisant of some medieval torturer's device. The tree is then given just enough water to guarantee it remains barely alive for the holidays festivities.
It's strong once sheltering branches are hacked away, trimmed to satisfy your need for a trangular uniform appearance. Now the festive holiday family further humilate the slowly dying tree, by decorating it with strings of bright holiday lights, tinsel and ornaments. Perhaps to hide the little tree's sadness. To which everyone then gathers round the tree "oohing" and "awing" at how beautiful the tree now looks. Oh how much you just love and admire the decorated little tree as it now stands there all aglow!
We forget as presents are piled underneath it's branches, that this was once a thriving, growing healthy tree. Which not only housed many of nature's creatures, but also gave us all life sustaining oxygen.
And every year it never fails to surprise me that as we proclaim the season to be of love, compassion and giving. We at the same time contribute to the unneccesary killing of thousands of life giving helpless trees. Only to toss them out after the festivities are over.The once adorned and adored holiday tree now blowing around in the streets and curbsides with reminants of tinsel still hanging from their now dead little branches, like Christmas corpses year after year. No longer will the tree be a haven for wildlife. No longer will it give us our precious oxygen,shade nor shelter or the sweet smell of pine.
Perhaps if we must celebrate with a tree and all the decorations. We could use an artifical tree instead? Leaving the sweet little trees to keep on living? Artifical trees are very elaborate now, often looking more uniform and full than their natural counterparts. As well as the money saved, as you need only purchase this kind of tree once, for years and years of enjoyment. While at the same time doing your part to protect the environment as well. Maybe then the death of the Christmas tree will be a thing of the past.........

6 comments:

Barb Smith said...

I always loved the smell of that fresh cut tree but a few years ago, when I decided that I NEEDED to become more green, I said no to anymore fresh trees (ie DEAD trees). That year we decorated (don't laugh) an artificial ficus tree for the holidays. Ugh. lol
Finally, last year we bought a nice artificial tree that will last us years and years (and will save countless numbers of innocent, oxygen producing evergreens). And since I still like the smell, I burn evergreen scented soy candles. YAY!
Peace & Love,
~Barb~

Flor Larios Art said...

Nice post. I started with natural trees about 8 years ago and always wanted to go back to fake, but my husband loves natural tress. Will see if next year I can convince him.

Verlene said...

Very well written Kelley! - verlene

Creations From The Soul said...

Hi Kelley
How have you been? I have been busy busy. I loved the story of the poor little trees..... :( My tree is fake and you could never even tell it is. It is also prelit so it saves time with all the wrapping of the lights hoopla. I also, like Barb, light my favorite Christmas evergreen scented candles and apples and cinnamon too :) and still have that wonderful holiday scent in the air without green guilt, lol All the best, Michele

Tom said...

Hey Kel,

Good point and nicely written. Now I do have a couple of tips for you and your readers.
Ok, first most people that like the real tree is really for one reason. They like the smell of the pine tree and how it stirs those memories of yester year. So what you can do is collect some clippings from a live tree and put them in a coffee can or old pot and you add some water, then you put it on your stove with a low flame. As the water heats the clippings, it will fill your home with the scent of a xmass tree. If that seems like to much work you can purchase The Perfect Christmas Tree candle at your local Bath & Bodyworks store.

Now for those of you that just have to have a real tree. Well then you can buy a real tree that has the root ball. This way you get your real tree and then you can plant that tree and it gets to live on.

Well those are my thoughts and ideas.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Kelley said...

Tom, ahh some very good ideas..think i will boil some nice pine smell myself..thanks for sharing your great ideas!! Big big hugs to you!! Hope you keep reading and posting here!! xo