Keep it real.
We’re very passionate about growing REAL Christmas trees at Cowbridge Christmas Tree Farm. Here are some key points why we think you should keep it real this year too…
Sustainability. A real Christmas tree is harvested, like a crop, and replanted every year with a new seedling to grow in its place. Buying a real Christmas tree isn’t contributing to deforestation, these trees are part of a continuous cycle and are not felled from pre-existing forests. In fact up to 10 trees are planted for every average size tree that is grown.
A real Christmas tree that is bought locally has the lowest carbon footprint. As our own Christmas tree plantation is establishing, this year we have brought in pre-cut trees from Cambrian Tree Farm in Aberystwyth. We are adamant that we always want to sell Welsh trees, even our pre-cuts have a lower carbon footprint than most others on the market that are imported from further afield!
According to the British Christmas Tree Growers Association a two-metre artificial Christmas tree has a carbon footprint of around 40kg of CO2. That’s more than 10 times greater than a real Christmas tree. This means that an artificial tree must be used for at least 10 years for its environmental impact to be lower than that of real trees, but sadly they are often disposed of long before that.
Real Christmas trees, unlike artificial trees, also provide a habitat, produce oxygen and absorb carbon during the 10-12 years that they take to grow. We get lots of field mice and rabbits living amongst ours which is lovely to see throughout the year.
Many local councils offer a Christmas tree collection service where used Christmas trees are picked up and recycled, unlike artificial trees that end up in landfills.
Alternatively, if you really don’t feel comfortable with a cut Christmas tree then we also have a limited selection of potted trees. Ranging from 4-5ft these real trees are great to dress up for Christmas and then plant out in the garden to enjoy all year round. If space is an issue then we are happy to plant the tree on the farm!
Ultimately we think real is best, and nothing says Christmas quite like that real Christmas tree smell!