We always used fresh trees and after the holiday, put them up outside, tied to a diciduous tree, and decorated with edibles for out wild creatures throughout the winter. In the spring, with most of the needles gone, the tree would go into the raised bed or LARGE container of soil to grow peas and pole beans and morning gloies on. In the fall it became kindling and the ashes from our woodstove went back into the garden to sweeten the soil. Then, when our kids were about Jr. High age, they got upset at seeing the tree "go away" even though they knew it was helping the environment and our wild friends. After much begging on their part, we bought a very beautiful artificial (and expensive!) tree. We have cared for it carefully for years. My kids are in their 50's and the tree has lasted 40 years with care, careful cleaning and proper storage. People still think it's a real tree when they first see it and only realize it's not when they have a good, close look. There are certainly pros and cons to each side of the question. I won't condemn or criticize anyone for their choice of tree. It's such an individual decision.
We always used fresh trees and after the holiday, put them up outside, tied to a diciduous tree, and decorated with edibles for out wild creatures throughout the winter. In the spring, with most of the needles gone, the tree would go into the raised bed or LARGE container of soil to grow peas and pole beans and morning gloies on. In the fall it became kindling and the ashes from our woodstove went back into the garden to sweeten the soil. Then, when our kids were about Jr. High age, they got upset at seeing the tree "go away" even though they knew it was helping the environment and our wild friends. After much begging on their part, we bought a very beautiful artificial (and expensive!) tree. We have cared for it carefully for years. My kids are in their 50's and the tree has lasted 40 years with care, careful cleaning and proper storage. People still think it's a real tree when they first see it and only realize it's not when they have a good, close look. There are certainly pros and cons to each side of the question. I won't condemn or criticize anyone for their choice of tree. It's such an individual decision.