Garden Mastery: Evergreens Can Be Part Of A Sustainable Holiday Celebration

The history of decorating the house with evergreen branches and trees goes back thousands of years, in ancient times.

When the sun was shining in the sky and the cold weather intensified, the "evergreen" nature of firs, firs, and cedars heralded eternal life and the promise of spring and the return of spring. Thus, greenery was and remains a symbol of hope and evidence of life reborn after dark.

Christmas trees may have evolved from an ancient tradition of celebrating the short days of winter with branches covered in fragrant greenery. German culture created the tradition of decorated Christmas trees in the 17th century and then brought the tradition to America in the 19th century.

In the 21st century, people are still looking for the connection with nature that green Christmas trees bring home. However, due to deforestation issues, consumers have been given more opportunities to sustainably celebrate the winter holidays and a reliable Christmas time. Here are some options you can consider.

The original standard is sawn firewood brought into the house. The trees being felled are mainly agricultural products. The growers who produce these products are concerned with finding disease-resistant varieties and optimal tree species protection for this use. On the other hand, data shows that industrial use of pesticides is high and sustainability is affected by long-distance transportation to the final consumer. Buying locally is one way to promote sustainability, and after visiting the nursery, you can ask about pesticide use.

Not all farmers follow the one tree/one crop approach. Some California growers use stump planting methods, allowing up to eight trees per stump. I can't argue with anyone who grows trees about buying artificial decorations for the home, because the trees themselves help capture carbon and improve the soil. In fact, farming logs (similar to logging) "can store up to one ton of carbon per acre early on, depending on the species and the number of trees planted in the soil," according to the University of California Cooperative Extension. If you recycle felled trees, they will go back into the soil as 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 farms to obtain timber from public lands for a small fee. Visit here to learn how. This can help clear trees and improve fire preparedness.

If you don't like sawn trees, you have the option of using a live Christmas tree. Live trees are more fragrant. But, like potted plants, they must be kept cool and well watered (wet, not misted). You can give a live tree as a gift after enjoying it in the winter, or you can grow it yourself if you have the space after the holidays.

Or plant a Christmas tree on the street. If you plan to plant trees on your property, choose a good variety, including conifers, cypresses, junipers, and San Diego-native fir. A visit to the California Native Plant Society at cnps.org will help you decide which tree to choose, the right size and local climate. I recently planted an Arizona golden cypress ( Cupressus arizonica ' Sulphurea') that needs no additional watering for the first few years after planting. I love how the leaves change from a lemon yellow at the tips to a bright blue all over the plant. It is like a decorated tree without decorations. Be careful, though, because some types of evergreen trees can grow stunted if not pruned regularly.

A recent development in the industry is the leasing of live trees. Local services deliver live Christmas trees to your home. You can choose from several types. You need to water the Christmas tree daily, keep it away from heat sources and use only sturdy decorations. Once removed, it returns to the soil after 3-4 weeks, where it continues to provide wildlife habitat and benefit fresh air for the planet.

If a whole tree is too much for you, you can still enjoy the scent and beauty of an indoor landscape with tree clippings. In 16th century Germany, where candlelit Christmas trees are believed to have originated, families made wooden molds to place evergreen boughs on. The scraps can also be used to make wreaths on wire shapes (I even used an old clothes hanger) from last year's packing tape.

If you choose a felled tree or have branches to recycle, San Diego residents can dump the trees at one of several recycling sites to create mulch for future plants: sandiego.gov/environmental-services/recycling/events/christmas. San Diego County residents should check https://wastefreesd.org for recycling options and more.

Get free gardening advice from the UCCE Master Gardeners, the San Diego County Helpline at (858) 822-6910, or email help@mastergardenersd.org.

Resendez is the lead gardener in UCCE, Class of 2020. She grows and grows fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants, and cat-safe Christmas trees outdoors at her beach house, District 10A.