The history of home decorating with evergreen branches and trees dates back thousands of years to ancient times.
The "evergreen" nature of pines, pines, and cedars, as the sun lowers in the sky and gets cooler, shows their awareness of eternal life, the hope of spring and the return of spring. So the vegetables were signs of hope and evidence of life to emerge from the darkness.
Christmas trees come from an ancient tradition of celebrating the short days of winter with branches covered in greenery. German culture can be traced back to the beginning of the tradition of decorated Christmas trees in the 17th century and then bringing the tradition to America in the 19th century.
In the 21st century, people still want to be associated with the nature that fragrant green Christmas trees bring home. However, with concerns about deforestation, consumers have found many opportunities to celebrate the winter holidays and celebrate hopeful Christmas times in a more sustainable way. Here are some options to consider.
The first level of woodcutting is brought into the house. The felled trees are generally agricultural products. The growers who produce this product take great care to seek out disease-resistant varieties and to protect tree species suitable for that use. On the one hand, the data shows that industrial use of pesticides is high and stability is affected by long-distance transportation to the consumer. Buying locally is one way to increase sustainability, and by knowing the tree's grower you can ask about pesticide use.
Not all growers are close to one tree/crop. Some farmers in California use logging techniques that allow them to grow from one trunk to eight trees. I can't argue with who grows trees to buy artificial decorations for the home, because the trees themselves help sequester carbon and improve the soil. In fact, according to the UC Cooperative Extension, planting logs (similar to logging) "can store up to 1 ton of carbon per acre depending on the species and how many trees are planted on the land. If you recycle felled trees, they get back To the soil as a fertilizer (details at the end of this article).
It is not necessary to buy all Christmas trees from a grower. The National Forest Service allows private families to take firewood from public lands for a small fee. Visit here to find out how. This helps cut down trees and improve fire preparedness.
If cut trees aren't your thing, you have the option of using a live Christmas tree. Live trees are more fragrant. But like potted plants, they need to be kept cool and well watered (wet, not wet). After enjoying the winter season, you can donate a live tree or plant it yourself if you have space after the holidays.
Or plant a Christmas tree outside. If you plan to plant trees on your property, choose species suitable for San Diego, including conifers, cypresses, pines, and spruces. Visiting the California Native Plant Society at cnps.org can help you choose the right size tree for your local climate. I recently planted an Arizona golden cypress ( Cupressus arizonica ' sulphurea') that does not need additional water after the first few years of planting. I love how the leaves turn from a lemony yellow to a bright blue at the tip. It's like a tree without decorations! Be careful with some evergreen trees because they can become quite tall if not pruned regularly.
A recent development in the industry is the leasing of live trees. Local Works delivers live Christmas trees to your home - with a wide variety of varieties to choose from. It is essential to water the tree daily, avoid heat sources, and use only sustainable decorations. After 3-4 weeks, it is transferred back to Earth, where it continues to provide the benefits of living organisms and clean air to the planet.
If a whole tree is too much for you, you can get the fragrance and beauty of indoor greenery with tree cuttings. In Germany, where candlelit Christmas trees are believed to have originated, in the 16th century families made wooden figures to hold evergreen boughs. Scraps can be used to make wreaths, from last year's ribbon wrapping to wire shapes (I used an old clothes hanger, too).
If you choose a fallen tree or have branches to recycle, San Diego residents can dump trees at one of several recycling sites to help create cover for future plants: sandiego.gov/environmental-services/recycling/events/christmas. San Diego County residents should visit https://wastefreesd.org for recycling options and more.
Get free indoor gardening advice from the UCCE Master Gardeners San Diego County Hotline at (858) 822-6910 or via email at help@mastergardenersd.org.
Resendes is the UCCE lead gardener for the class of 2020. He grows outdoor fruit, vegetables, ornaments, and cat-proof Christmas trees at his beach house in District 10A.
