Posted on 12/15/2004 6:25:45 AM PST by Russ
Find alternative to cutting trees
Editor:
When I saw the article headline “No need to take a bow for switch to using alternative Christmas tree” in the Dec. 8 edition of the Reading Eagle, I thought I would read about an alternative to cutting live trees. Instead, the article extolled the qualities of an open-branched live tree which could display more ornaments than the machine-sheared variety.
At a time when increasing numbers of us bemoan the loss of beautiful trees, this season still represents the wholesale slaughter of many millions of them. People who buy live cut trees rave about how wonderful they smell. In fact, that smell is the aroma of a magnificent living thing in its death throes.
Decorating live balled trees that can be planted later is an alternative to killing trees. If that it not possible, opting for an artificial one would save a live tree, provide a reusable and realistic tree year after year and go a long way toward fire safety.
Public officials and corporate leaders could plant trees permanently for yearly decoration.
Here's hoping some enlightened president will put an end to the yearly slaughter of magnificent trees for display inside and outside the White House.
If the example starts at the top, perhaps the notion will take hold with others as well.
Amy White Berger Wyomissing
Don't they realize that these trees are grown ONLY for this purpose, to be cut down and sold at Christmas? Dingbat.
Oh, the horror. There are more trees in North America now than there were when the Pilgrims landed.
I can also hear the grass cry when I walk on it. /sarcasm
If these people care, they should offer themselves up as living Christmas trees. Stand out in my yard from Thanksgiving to New Years decorated with lights, ornaments and tinsel.
Ordinarily, I'd have the Christmas tree in the house, but y'all don't exactly have a fresh pine scent.
So this person is against the cultivation and harvesting of crops? I wonder if they feel that way about the billions of soybeans that are slaughtered each day to make tofu. Or the gazillion martyred marijana plants.
This is getting out of hand. And I suppose she never has freshly cut flowers in her home? Or she never eats vegetables. Or drinks wine? Or uses aloe moisturizer? Or Uses shampoo with botanical extracts? Or adds herbs to her recipes? Or takes medicine?
Hypocrite!!! This so-called environmentalist wrote a letter to the editor, thereby condoning the killing of trees to print newspapers with said letters in them!! YOU TREE MURDERER!!!! REPENT!!! PLANT 30 TREES AND PRAY TO THE SIERRA CLUB FOR FORGIVENESS!!!!
Ahh yes, they don't want anything harmed that appeals to their aesthetic sensibilities. Yet I'm sure an envirowack has to eat, so how does such a "morally superior" person survive? They didn't commit planticide for their meal did they? They're a veritable Hitler!
There are more trees in North America now than there were when the Pilgrims landed.That's a bit overstated. Old growth virgin forests - by definition - have fewer trees per acre then far younger forests with many more smaller trees.
Can't. That's violating the separation of church and state and company policy if they're for "X"-mas trees. (/sarcasm)
Speaking as someone in the field of Forestry. I can say that on average, for every tree cut down, seven more are planted in its place.
And what about all the non-renewable natural resources used and pollution discharged, needed to produce that artificial tree???? Didn't we learn that it is best to use renewable resources, ie trees?? It's common sense.
Do they ever mow their lawns? Don't they know how many insects they kill doing that!
I have been a Christmas Tree grower for 24 years. We have have planted and harvested thousands of trees. Always replanting, either spot or the whole field. At full load, my 15 acre fields hold around 17k trees. That increased density means more CO2 converted to O2. Sheesh, you'd think that was enough.
'old growth virgin forests' is a bit overstated... trees have a life span... forests are never old growth they are always growing through stages.... trees die new ones sprout...
i know the point you were trying to make, but your premise is structured on a straw man argument, that trees live forever... younger trees are better at doing what trees do than older trees...
such is life.
teeman
Oh, the horror. There are more trees in North America now than there were when the Pilgrims landed.
Oh, the huma...never mind!
You should write a reply and remind her that one of the biggest threats to forestation is not commercial tree farms but over population of whitetailed deer. Perhaps Amy would like to accompany you on a hunt and be an example of forest preservation.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.