In such familiar parties as Christmas, one of the decorative elements that should not be missing in any home are the Christmas trees. Decorated with garlands, bells and with the star of Bethlehem, it accompanies us in all the meals that we share with our closest ones, and gives great joy to the little ones the nights we leave them their gifts.
However, this story that repeats itself every year hides a dark secret. Many of the Christmas trees we buy will be discarded in just a couple of weeks. Why?
Types of natural Christmas trees
Cutting down trees that will be used to decorate Christmas is a very common practice.
When we are going to buy a natural Christmas tree from a nursery or garden center, we must take a good look at the different specimens since they will offer us four types of trees: one extracted with its root ball, one grown in a pot, or one that has been extracted from the ground with hardly any roots. Let's see what the differences are:
- Root ball extracted treeWhen the plant has been pulled out with a good amount of root bread, it will have less trouble looking pretty during the holidays, and even afterwards. Of course, you should know that the survival percentage is very low, 1 in every 1000.
- Pot grown tree: it is the best option, although you also have to be observers and check if it has been potted recently or not by pulling it up. If it turns out well, with the whole root ball, it will mean that it has been in that pot for a long time, so after Christmas it can be planted in the garden.
- Tree removed without roots: this practice is becoming more and more frequent. It is cut down, harvested during the festivities, and then discarded. Some municipalities have collection services for dead plant material that are then shredded for recycling as compost.
Is it a good option to buy natural Christmas trees?
Conifers, such as Araucaria, grow best outdoors.
Depends. The species that are used to decorate our houses during the holidays are native to temperate climates, some cold. Firs, Spruces and Araucarias are conifers that do not adapt well to living indoors, so as soon as Christmas ends, if they are bought in a pot or with a root ball, it is always highly recommended to move them outside, where they can feel the wind. , rain, and variations in temperature.
Still, the odds of them getting ahead are low, because not all of us live in an area where the climate is appropriate for these plants. Temperatures above 30ºC can cause many problems, especially for Spruces. With this in mind, the best way to avoid having to dispose of them is to acquire an artificial Christmas tree, which will keep well for many years.