The quest for a greener Christmas: How to find a more sustainable Christmas tree and decorations

The smell of mulled wine and freshly baked cookies wafting through the air, twinkling lights decorating the streets, and Christmas markets in full swing — The holidays are upon us, bringing tidings of joy, peace, and…sustainability? Central to the holiday festivities is, of course, the beloved Christmas tree, but have you ever wondered how green your Christmas tree actually is? In light of recent studies and growing environmental concerns, the diverse options, whether real, fake, or rented, invite a closer look. Here, we break down some cold, hard facts to help you choose a more sustainable Christmas tree.

Christmas tree farms provide surprising ecological benefits

According to the German Forest Protection Association Landesverband Hessen e.V., an acre of Christmas tree cultivation absorbs 145 tons of carbon dioxide, filters out 300 tons of dust particles, and generates 100 tons of oxygen over a span of 10 years. (Source: SDW) Although conventional farms still rely on harmful herbicides and pesticides, their ecological potential deserves more attention.

A German research study from 2022 concluded that Christmas tree farms, including pines, spruce, and firs, hold the potential to serve as crucial sanctuaries for dwindling bird populations. These include yellowhammers and common linnets, especially in regions dominated by intense farming practices. These findings echo a separate 2018 study undertaken in Sauerland, Germany, indicating that Christmas tree plantations are key habitats for woodlarks.

Over in Belgium, another study revealed that the variety of beetle species — some of which are endangered — was more abundant in Christmas tree farms than in cornfields, although not as diverse as in timber spruce plantations. The timber spruce plantations typically have fewer chemical inputs and a longer growth cycle, making them more beneficial for biodiversity.

Furthermore, another German study concluded that organic Christmas tree farms showcased better habitat complexity. This allows for a more diverse array of plant species than their conventional counterparts to establish themselves. The study specifically advocated for a cutback in the use of herbicides to further enhance these ecological benefits.

This shows that the debate surrounding Christmas trees and their cultivation requires nuance. As with most things, the issue is not as black and white as one might initially think.

The great debate revisited: Fake, real, or rented?

Real trees emit the irreplaceable fragrance of the holidays, artificial trees offer convenience, and leased trees come with a temporary tag. When inspected more closely, each choice reveals complex ecological implications.

Real but disposable: The one-time wonder

So, if Christmas tree farms can offer such valuable ecosystems, what’s the concern with choosing a traditional Christmas tree? Grown for around a decade to become your authentic holiday centrepiece, these trees have a one-and-done lifespan. The three most popular tree types purchased in Germany are the Nordmann fir, the blue spruce and the Wollemia. None of these are native species.

Once the holiday season is over and the tinsel is removed, they are, too. Plus, they often come with a substantial, hidden carbon footprint. Pesticides, fossil fuel-based fertilisers, and weed killers frequently assist in their cultivation. For example, in Germany, the market share of organic Christmas trees is still low. According to a survey carried out by Robin Wood in 2019, it comprised only around 0.6 per cent and is estimated at around 0.7 per cent today.

Conventional Christmas tree cultivation is a burden on the planet and a potential health hazard. Glyphosate and Bifenthrin, the most popular herbicides and insecticides used, are both labelled as probable carcinogens and are absorbed and harboured in pine needles and bark. And let’s not forget about the waste during production: around 40% of cultivated firs are disposed of simply because they don’t grow straight enough. (Source: Baumeria) Therefore, sourcing ecological and local suppliers is essential if opting for a traditional one-time-wonder.

Sustainable Christmas tree farms: From monoculture to diversity

The cultivation and harvest of Christmas trees traditionally demand an energy toll that upsets nature’s delicate balance. In pursuit of equilibrium, visionary approaches to Christmas tree farming have blossomed. Governmental backing is necessary to help accelerate a holistic plantation-to-forest conversion. In Germany, for instance, the North Rhine Westphalian authorities legislated against expansive Christmas tree plantations as a protective measure for native forests.

Offering a sustainable model for forestry and avoiding the monoculture approach common in Germany and abroad, these farms boast a rich blend of Christmas classics, such as blue spruce and Nordmann fir, interspersed with beech trees and oaks. This deliberate mixture ensures forest health and bolsters the trees’ resistance to extreme weather and pests, eliminating the need for pesticides. Cherry trees shield young spruces from harsh winds and rains. In an ideal scenario, plantations gravitate back towards native species such as spruces, silver firs, and pines sourced from native forests. These trees, when harvested, are part of near-natural forest management.

Reliable Certifications Ensuring Sustainable Christmas Trees

Choosing regionally grown trees that support the local ecosystem is an essential first step when opting for the real deal. Embracing this idea can transform the annual tree hunt into a thrilling family excursion, perhaps even offering a story to share by the fireplace on Christmas Eve. For those keen on certified choices, look for eco-labels like EU-Bio-Siegel, Naturland, or FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), each offering different sustainability assurances. Ecologically certified farmed trees involve natural weed control through weed brushes or mulchers with fine weeding or by controlled grazing through sheep.

Seeking to champion both sustainability and workers’ rights? Dive into the realm of ​“FairTrees,” a member of Fair Trade Danmark and a noble initiative championing ethical labour practices. In Georgia, dedicated cone pickers master perilous heights to collect tree seeds from Nordmann firs, the European Christmas tree favourite.

Adorning your home with a FairTrees-certified Christmas tree intertwines eco-consciousness with a commitment to ethical labour, presenting perhaps the pinnacle of sustainable festive choices.
 

Plastic fantastic: Convenient but costly

Artificial Christmas trees, with their promise of durability and convenience, come with their own set of problems. Studies show that the carbon footprint of these trees during their production and disposal stages is notably high. To break even with a real tree in terms of CO2 emissions, you’d need to use your plastic tree for over 15 years. (Source: Baumeria) And what happens at the end of its life cycle? It is disposed of in a landfill, taking centuries to disintegrate into microplastic particles.

Potted trees: The more sustainable darling

If you love gardening or are willing to try your hand at it, a potted evergreen tree is arguably the most sustainable Christmas tree option. Keep it indoors for no more than seven days to prevent it from becoming too accustomed to the warm indoor temperatures, as this would make its transition back to the colder outdoor climate difficult.

Once the holiday season is over, if you have the room, consider planting the tree in your own garden or perhaps in a friend’s or neighbour’s outdoor space. Check out Berlin-based Wundertree, delivering potted Normann firs and planting a native deciduous tree for every tree purchased in collaboration with the foundation Natur​-stiften​.de.

Rent a tree: The new kid on the block

For those looking to combine the authenticity of a real tree with a more sustainable approach, tree rentals are becoming increasingly popular. Imagine a lush, fragrant evergreen gracing your living room for the festive season, but instead of meeting a chipped and shredded end, it returns to the earth to grow even taller for next year’s celebrations. Tree rental services are rising stars in the holiday landscape, offering a win-win solution for tree lovers and the planet alike.

Here’s how it works: companies such as Replants, Greentree (Munich only) or Weihnachtsurwald in Germany nurture these trees year-round, only to loan them out for your yuletide joy. You get to enjoy the genuine look, feel, and scent of a real tree, and once the holidays wrap up, the tree is returned, carefully replanted, and continues to flourish. Some services even allow you to rent the same tree year after year, creating a new, heartwarming holiday tradition that’s as sustainable as it is sentimental. Don’t forget to check for ecological certification!

In the Netherlands, visit Beterboompje for your festive season masterpiece. They offer both rental and compensation of felled trees for long-term impact. At Beterboompje, you can either select a tree with a rootball, which the company replants post-holidays or opt for a tree without one, prompting the planting of two organic, ​“adoptable” tree cuttings in the BeterBoompje Christmas Tree Forest. This initiative ensures a future supply of sustainable Christmas trees and reduces the demand for disposable ones.
 

Innovative and reusable: The graphical Christmas tree

More and more retailers offer plastic-free Christmas trees that artfully blend innovation with eco-design. Green by design, these aren’t your typical pines or firs; they unfold as intricate spirals or rise as towering graphical blocks sculpted from sustainable wood sources. Each curve, edge, and layer of these trees evokes a sense of aesthetic wonder while championing an underlying message of ecological responsibility.

A great example of this are the handmade trees from the German company Franky Tree. COSH! Member Fyksin Atelier partners up with them to guarantee a more sustainable packaging for shipping and storing of the wooden tree sculptures. 

A 2D delight: The wall art Christmas tree

Your green Christmas tree doesn’t even need to be a tree — or occupy floor space. Create a tree on your wall using old trinkets, stickers, earrings, and other bits and bobs you’ve been hoarding. It’s a fantastic, sustainable alternative with more room for Christmas activities.

Ageing with grace: Buy second-hand

If DIY isn’t your thing (we’ve all had that one glue gun disaster), you can still make a green choice. Consider adopting a second-hand artificial tree from a friend, neighbour, or someone local. This way, you aren’t contributing to more waste and are saving a tree from the landfill.

Ornaments: Beyond tinsel and plastic stars

In the quest for a holiday celebration that is in tune with our planet’s well-being, the twinkling adornments on your tree deserve a sustainability upgrade. It’s time to move past the era of plastic baubles and synthetic tinsel and embrace the realm of natural materials, refurbished and DIY ornaments. Before you consider parting with your existing collection of plastic Christmas decor, remember that the epitome of sustainability lies in reusing what you already own and avoiding any unnecessary waste. If you want to expand your festive collection, choose naturally crafted alternatives.

Ditching plastic doesn’t mean forgoing charm, authenticity or sparkles. As the season approaches, thrift shops unfurl a treasure trove of festive delights, making them an ideal haunt for the budget-conscious, eco-friendly holiday shopper. Consider beautifully refurbished ornaments such as vintage glass baubles, hand-painted ceramic pieces from a local Christmas market, carefully crafted wooden figurines or heirloom trinkets passed down from your grandmother. These options not only add an inimitable character to your tree but also eliminate the need for fossil fuel-based materials.

If crafting during the dark winter months while sipping hot cocoa is your go-to pastime, Pinterest is a veritable wonderland of sustainable DIY ornament ideas. Discover all kinds of tutorials on making ornaments from repurposed materials like fabric scraps, used holiday cards, or even cinnamon sticks and dried fruits.

Imagine a tree adorned with small mason jar lids transformed into winter landscapes or with delicate origami shapes folded from paper scraps. Create your own candles or picture twinkling LED lights interspersed with homemade gingerbread ornaments or dried citrus slices. The possibilities are as endless as they are enchanting.

The final destination: A key sustainability factor

The post-holiday destiny of your Christmas tree significantly influences its carbon footprint, often serving as the single most crucial factor. The least ideal final resting place for these trees is landfills, where the lack of oxygen prompts the conversion of carbon into methane — a greenhouse gas with a potency that’s 80 times higher than CO2 over a two-decade span. According to data from the Carbon Trust, the carbon emissions from a tree that winds up in a landfill are four to five times higher than those from a properly disposed tree. (Source: The Guardian)

The gold standard for tree disposal? Replanting it, roots and all, allowing it to continue thriving. This is where Christmas tree rentals come in. A commendable second choice involves chipping the tree and spreading it across gardens or parks or even composting it, gradually releasing its carbon content into the air as CO2.

Trees conventionally farmed with pesticides and herbicides are not ideal for composting or wood chip conversion as these chemicals are leached during decomposition.

Burning the tree for energy production results in immediate carbon emissions but is better than landfill disposal. Many tree providers and local councils offer free and convenient recycling programs and drop-off points.

Whether you opt for the one-time wonder, try a potted evergreen, rent a living tree, buy second-hand, or create an artistic masterpiece, numerous options are available for a more sustainable holiday. Make this green Christmas both your merriest yet because what’s better than a holiday that respects both tradition and life itself?