Buying a real Christmas tree is a sound environmental choice which is especially important in the age of global warming. Growing trees helps to reverse the damage caused by too much Carbon Dioxide in our atmosphere and do not involve the harm caused by producing artificial trees.
The trees on our farm stabilise the soil, protect water supplies and provide refuge for wildlife. For every tree cut down, more are planted.
Growing trees absorb carbon dioxide (C02) to sustain growth and produce woody tissue. In this process trees emit fresh oxygen. This is of special importance now there is concern about the global warming "greenhouse effect".
75% of Australian rainforests have been cleared for agriculture and development. Replanting the land with trees helps alleviate the problems caused by this. Fast growing trees, such as the Monterey Pine, absorb more harmful CO2 than slower growing. The CO2 absorption of mature trees drops off significantly. Tree farms that plant new trees annually are helping our environment.
Christmas trees are biodegradable and their trunks and branches can be used as mulch. Fake trees are non-biodegradable. They end up in landfill and do not break down. PVC used in their manufacture produces dioxins, their metal requires fuel hungry mining. Dioxins are released into air and water and go into the food chain. Humans and animals eat this food which has a potential to cause cancer, damage immune functions and impair children's development.
The metal and plastic used in artificial trees is a non-renewable resource whereas new trees are planted every year. The long distances artificial trees are transported (most often from overseas) uses even more of the earth's increasingly depleting fuel.
For more information on how eco-friendly real trees are compared to artificial, the National Christmas Tree Organization (USA) has a comprehensive comparison chart
To help teach your children about the benefits of real trees here is a fun interactive game for them to play - Attack of the Mutant Artificial Trees
Please remember that if you do not want to dispose of your tree yourself you can bring it back here after Christmas where it will be used as mulch and allowed to break down naturally. Just ask us for a Tree Disposal Voucher. If the gate is closed when you return your tree, please just leave it over the fence