Araucaria Excelsa
What is more ecological, a natural christmas tree or artificial? Difficult answer. There are different opinions on this. What is true, as is the case with Poinsettia, is that we often use living beings, such as the Christmas tree, as if they were inert decorative objects. We subject them to totally adverse conditions for their survival (heating, high temperatures, light bulbs in their branches, sprayed with artificial foam simulating snow …) and then, either we pretend in an absurd way that they continue alive in a pot, or we throw them into the container of garbage where, already dead or exhausted, they cannot even be recycled as organic compost.
But then what do we do, do we buy a Christmas tree artificialpromoting the continuity of the plastic industry that pollutes so much? The height of this option is to annually change the artificial plastic. At least it will last us many years. And the option of a cardboard christmas tree? It may be the best, but its use is not very widespread yet, and I imagine that there will be those who do not want to change the usual aesthetics of their tree. Let’s analyze the more respectful options within each election. Today the natural Christmas tree.
For those who choose a natural treeYou should never extract this tree from Nature, or cut a branch from a pine that grows in the mountains. This is one barbarity unnecessary, a plunder of Nature for a small cause.
Whoever wants to have a fir tree, let him resort to specialized nurseries that develop plantations of the same, and at least, these plantations act as small natural lungs around urban areas.
Within the natural option, there are three possibilities:
Tree that will not live, without roots
From the plantation a specimen with few roots or felled at ground level is uprooted. Their survival is limited to the Christmas holidays. It is a tree of “Use and throw”.
If you decide on this option, at least, do not throw it in the container when christmas is over. Call your Town Hall. Many provide for their collection to be able to recycle as organic compost.
Tree with a chance of survival
Our chances of survival back of a Christmas tree are scarce. Let’s not fool ourselves. The tree undergoes very harsh conditions in the home environment. It must be taken into account that in its natural habitat it is around 0º.
In any case, if we want to try, the Mountain Engineers College tells us that most suitable species they are the spruce of the Caucasus or Normandy (Abies nordmanniana) and the red firPicea abies). The first comes from Asia Minor, Greece and the Caucasus and in Spain it is used as an ornamental species in parks and gardens. It can reach up to 25 meters in height. The spruce comes from North and Central Europe and has been used in reforestation in the Pyrenees and Navarra. It is also planted in parks and gardens. It can measure up to 50 meters.
Of course, to try your later survivalit will be necessary to make sure that the tree is alive and has a good root ball (lower part of the tree that gathers the roots and a good portion of earth).
The same Official College points out that both the white fir (Abies alba) as the pinsapo (abies pinsapo) are species that we should not acquire for our homes, because they are very delicate and even protected in some autonomous communities. The white fir can be found in the Pyrenees and the Spanish fir, in the mountains of the province of Cádiz and Malaga from 1.000 meters of altitude.
At home, take care of him. That the pot is large enough for its roots, that it has organic soil, water it once a week, put it in a bright place, provide natural centilation at least once a day and keep it away from direct sources of heat. Avoid hanging lights on it and sprinkling it with foam, artificial snow or similar.
After christmassome municipalities collect live trees to replant in their nursery. You can find out if yours has this service.
If you want to do the replantingin your garden if you have it, or in the mountains, move it to a place humid and shadyand perform a deep transplantso that all its roots are underground. Water itthat first watering is important. And it would not hurt a couple of visits with the family the next two weeks to see its evolution, water and add soil if you see it necessary. After all, it is your Christmas tree. It can be a pretty family activity.
Tree-like plant, in pot, that we will keep at home
This option is what greater guarantee of survival offers, as long as we observe the basic details of: luminosity, away from direct sources of heat, do not spray with artificial products, weekly watering.
From info garden, they recommend us the excellent araucariawith an appearance similar to fir, that better withstands indoor conditions and lives in a pot.
When you go to buy itcheck if it has been potted recently or not. To do this, pull it, the root ball must be kept on the ground, not easily come out with the (gentle) pull of the trunk. If so, the plant has been in pot for a while and the roots keep the root ball compact. Their survival is therefore easier.
Once at homewater it every three days, keep it away from the heating and the heat of the bulbs (do not hang the typical lights on it), moisten its leaves with a sprayer and ensure daily ventilation by taking it outside or opening the windows in the morning.
After christmastransplant it to a larger pot with drainage. Check its usual care and keep it to be able to enjoy it throughout the year and to become your tree again next Christmas.
And tomorrow, artificial trees for christmas
Further information: Poinsettia, how to survive Christmas
