Our Christmas Tree

We put up our Christmas tree on the 22nd. Magda feels that was a couple of days early. Her tradition is to put it up on the 24th. In general, the tree goes up later that in the U.S. Many of the Christmas tree stands did not even open until the 14th.

The type of tree that we choose was one called a "Nordmanntanne". They are a popular choice here in Germany. The tall tree tip and the openness at the top helps simulate the head and shoulders of a person. Like all the trees that we have seen here, the needles are relatively short that are soft and flat. Other types of trees that are sold here include blue spruce and firs. Have not seen any of the long needle verities such as scotch pine that are popular in Columbus.

We decided to be a little old fashioned by using straw ornaments and real candles. Magda tells me that she used to make these as a kid. They involve lay out pieces of straw in a pattern on a board and pinning the straw in place. Then thread is weaved around the straw to hold it all together allowing the pins can be removed and the ornament placed on the tree. You can see why it was (and still is) popular, the light brown of the straw does stand out against the dark green of the tree. Some of these are ones that Magda made several years ago, so the color does not darken with time.

We did watch a program discussing if an artificial tree is a better choice, strictly from an "environmental point"/"decreasing carbon footprint" of view. Certainly, looking at the initial purchase, the real tree wins out. These trees exist only for this purpose, and they will be replaced by another tree that will convert CO2 to oxygen. So the carbon impact is pretty much a wash. Some carbon cost related to fertilizer. And of course, there is the transportation from the farm to the tree stand and from there back home. Buying local will help here. The artificial tree requires energy in the manufacture of the raw materials as well as the tree . If the tree uses plastic, that involves using petroleum not required for a real tee. Plus there are the transportation costs which are likely longer that a real tree.

But of course, an artificial tree can be used multiple years, reducing the transportation cost over time. So when is the break even point? According to these experts you would have to used the artificial tree at least 17 years to lower the environmental impact to that of buying a real tree every year.