More on truly 'green' Christmas trees

We had a great discussion here a couple of weeks ago about alternatives to Christmas trees: the live ones are grown with heavy pesticides, while the artificial ones tend to be loaded with lead. Renting a live tree was suggested as a good solution (though they're not organically grown). Well, this morning The Oregonian ran an interesting article about a new program that identifies cut trees that have been grown under specific environmental standards. These trees are then sold on tree lots in a special section identifying them as having 'sustainable certification.' They are NOT grown organically, but they are grown without using excessive pesticides or contributing to erosion. The tree farm's water and soil conservation measures will be reviewed, as well as biodiversity and worker safety. Unfortunately, I can't find a listing of which tree lots will carry these trees.

It's not perfect, but it's a start. I was talking to relatives who own a tree farm about this very subject over the weekend. They said that they'd never heard of anyone growing Christmas trees organically and shudder at the work that would be involved. There is a rampant disease called Swiss Needle Cast that affects Douglas Fir trees in Oregon that has to be fought with chemicals. Bugs are a big problem, too. I'm glad that the industry is starting to take a more sustainable stance, but it sounds like they have a long way to go. I know my family will be heading to our favorite tree lot on NE Fremont again this year for a noble fir -- it's tough to break with tradition.