Experimenting with a potted Christmas tree this year

While it may be the new year, I think it’s alright to talk about the Christmas tree. In December we bought a potted Christmas tree from the Raglan Garden Centre that stands about 4 feet tall (122cm). I was just able to fit it in the van. If you consider this option, start small or remember it might not fit in your car or van. The idea was to buy the tree once and have it forever. It can stay inside or outside and remain there as it grows. I assumed this might be a more environmentally friendly option and also thought it would be nice to have a permanent tree. It was sort of my tree planting contribution for the year.

I wanted to calculate the CO2 benefit of my Christmas tree but I don’t know the answer yet. I am hopeful I can find the information and persist a bit in my research. I have found a few useful tools and websites, like https://www.itreetools.org/, although I have not gone through all the materials yet. I believe I have mentioned that calculating the environmental impact of my actions will be an ongoing endeavour. I look forward to connecting with experts in this area to learn more.

Additional Helpful Links in the UK

• The Christmas Tree Growers Association (CTGA): https://www.bctga.co.uk/ This organisation provides information about sustainable Christmas tree farming in the UK, including a list of many member farms where you can buy trees directly.
• Live Frankly: https://livefrankly.co.uk/sustainable-christmas/sustainable-christmas-trees-uk-how-to-choose-between-real-potted-rented-and-fake/ This website provides a comprehensive guide to sustainable Christmas choices, including a comparison of real, potted, rented, and artificial trees. I found mention in this article an example organic tree provider Peach Hayne Organics that looks promising.