According to the Bee, our local utility company SMUD is suggesting that buying an artificial Christmas tree is a "greener" choice than buying a fresh-cut tree trucked in from somewhere else (Oregon, most likely).I beg to differ. Artificial trees don't last forever, but their plastic parts do. Plus, aren't some artificial trees having lead issues? And might that artificial have been shipped in from a land much farther away than Oregon?
Let's face it... the cut trees from Oregon farms are already here. Buy one, and by all means recycle it after Christmas. Find out where to recycle by going to www.sacgreenteam.com and clicking on the Christmas tree recycling flier.
SMUD does suggest buying locally grown fresh-cut trees . If you're not wedded to the idea of a 'Silvertip' or 'Noble Fir', which don't grow well here in the Valley, then you have a couple good options:
Billy's Farm Fresh Christmas Trees
8430 Dillard Rd. Wilton, CA 95693
Phone: (916) 687-8354
FAX: (562) 498-1440
e-mail: billyschristmastrees@yahoo.com
Open: November - Weekends only
Hours: 9 am to 5 pm
Monterey Pine, Sierra Redwood, Cypress, Cedars, and Firs
Davis Ranch L. L. C.
Phone: (916) 682-2658
e-mail: davisranch@sloughhousesweetcorn.com
13501 Jackson Rd. Sloughhouse, CA 95683
http://www.sloughhousesweetcorn.com
Open: Friday after Thanksgiving to the 21st of December.
9:00 am until dusk
Douglas Fir, Monterey Pine, Incense Cedar, Sierra Redwood
Thanks for this - I'm in complete agreement with you. I'm in the SF Bay Area, and there are several tree farms w/i a 30 minute drive. I like living in an area with tree farms and I appreciate the carbon sequestering that they do. My small town picks up trees and mulches them after Christmas, and uses the mulch in city parks.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a winner to me.
Hayden,
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me to share this link for non-Sacramentans who are looking for a locally grown tree.
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Also, saw this site which has a nice map with farms in the Bay area: Christmas Tree Farms in California.
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