For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for December 19, 2011

how sweet…

Then she will cry because they do not have a tree. Youth!

Saw something similar on AFV with two little girls and a spider in the bathroom. Daddy scooped it up in a paper towel and took it outside to let it go, and the girls waved “Goodbye, spider!” I still think he smushed it.

Lizzy, the little tree-hugger.

Aw Lizzy that’s how I was as a kid!

Be like Lizzy. Join PETfir today. it’s not too late!http://howlandbolton.com/essays/read_more.php?sid=106

killing the tree is the point of it

A nice thought, Liz, but you can’t have it both ways.

Maybe it would be best if we all brought live trees indoors or decorated outside, but failing that, I still think recently-chopped-down trees are best. Fewer chemicals, nice smell, gets everyone out in nature, and you see that’s what happens to trees. They live a good life, then they pay someone’s bills.

Much as that’s what happens to vegetables we eat, animals etc

I agree. they aren’t messy and you don’t have to water it.

The best thing about a natural tree is that come spring, a dried-out dead Christmas tree goes up in flames like a gigantic match!

Go to the store and cut down a nice artificial tree.

My generation even recycled tinsel.

cinnamon? That’s dried tree bark!

Real trees seem best. They are quick to grow, can be recycled and those nasty petrochemicals aren’t used to make them.

“I’ll keep you up through the New Year,But come the 4th, you’re outta here!Oh, Christmas tree, oh, Christmas tree,Cut down to feed my vanity.”

That a girl! Treehuggers unite!

tree farms are awesome thing for the environment, unlike the plants that make artificial trees. The area is green, and the trees are growing and producing oxygen and shelter for bunnies and birdies. If there is no demand for those, the farms go out of business and there will be a big shopping mall or something instead there.

Same with us. Artificial trees are the much “greener” and less environmentally destructive way to go than in the annual participation of Christmas tree killing every year. It’s too bad more people don’t recognize and understand that.

When my daughter was that age, she witnessed one of our cats mauling a lizard. When I took it away, she said, “that’s all right kitty, we’ll get you another lizard to play with.”

@Gretchen’s MOm: they are farms. The trees are replanted.

Dig it up, roots and all, put it in a big pot, then after Christmas plant it in your yard. My dad did that several times when I was growing up before we went to plastic trees.

I have always GROWN my own tree! I start with a seed – yes! The first years are really teeny tiny trees, but years 3, 4, 5 they start to branch out and up. Once they get too big (usually around year 7 or so) I give them their freedom on a friends big farm.

I believe Consumer Reports has said the live tree is more environmentally friendly. We have quite a few trees (white pines) that were bought from a tree farm with their roots burlapped. They’re lovely now and the wind rustles through their limbs so beautifully. Sadly, burlapped trees are quite heavy to get up the stairs so we’ve had to stop buying live trees. I would hug each and every one we were blessed to have and inhale the lovely pine scent. Felt like the tree became a family member after I hugged it. White pines have such soft needles, although ornaments want to slide off. :D

A footnote: I’ve read that hummingbirds like to nest in white pines so I figure that’s where ours nest in the summer.

And now, that tree is now the Giving Tree.