The Truth About Your Christmas Tree

I’m reading a new book on my Kindle by Jean Shinoda Bolen, MD entitled Just Like A Tree: How Trees, Women and Tree People Can Save The Planet (2011) Conari Press. I love discovering new books about trees, as there is always some new information about trees that I didn’t know about before that I come across.

I wasn’t disappointed with this book, although it was a challenge to read in places, as there is much in the reference materials that I’ve already used in the book I’m currently writing about trees.

One piece of new information I came across was about Conifers and Evergreens trees, which the humble Christmas tree belongs to. I find it so easy to not even imagine the Christmas tree, which has been colonized for our homes even, grew in real forests and endured survival in harsh soils and conditions, but apparently this is very much the case. After reading about the physiology of this family of trees I don’t think I can ever look upon a real Christmas or Evergreen trees in the same way now that I know what it has come through.

Below are two short excerpts form Jean’s book minus the page reference (as I’m reading it on my Kindle). I hope it will enlighten you about the hardy Christmas tree and what tress from this lineage have endured to find it’s way into your home and living room this Christmas.

“ Those with the oldest lineage are members of the conifer family. The conifers do nothing showy- no autumn colours, spring blossoms, or glorious fruit – but when they are noticed and we understand how wonderful they are, a depth and poetic appreciation can result. Out of their wonder and love of the trees they study, naturalists have written about them with poetic sensibility. John Muir, America’s most famous and influential naturalist, for example, described a juniper as “a sturdy storm-enduring mountaineer of a tree, living on sunshine and snow, maintaining tough health on his diet for perhaps more than a thousand years” (Muir, My first Summer in the Sierra, 1911. P.146).

“ The Conifers are the trees I have most bonded with, and there is a geographic affinity between California and the North American boreal confer forests that draws me to their plight. How many Pine trees are cut down is a market supply and demand decision.

This is the one time of the year billions of people bring trees intentionally into their home. Find a way of really connecting with your tree. Use your fingertips to touch the pine needles, put your nose close. Is there still a trace of the scent of its natural fragrance?

Enjoy your Christmas tree this Christmas and as the new year arrive rather than leave it for the recycling collection try replanting this tardy tree in your garden or in an open space and see how it fares throughout the year.