A good Christmas tree lot, and spray-free trees?
Two Christmas tree questions, the first from Jennifer:
For years my husband and I bought a Christmas Tree in Lincoln Park (near the corner of Delaware and Morton Avenues). The Christmas Tree sales supported the Albany Little League or Boy Scouts. Last year they were gone so I am wondering what happened to them? It was always a good operation with nice people for a good cause. Can you recommend any other local places for Christmas Trees?
And the second from Sarah:
I was wondering if anyone knows of any Christmas tree farms in the area that are pesticide-free.
Last week we posted an updated listing for places to cut your own Christmas tree this year. But for people not up for taking the saw into their own hands, any suggestions for where to buy? And, for Sarah, know of any pesticide-free trees places?
Please share!
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Comments
It's a bit of a drive, and some walking, but the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont will let you head into the desolate woods and cut your own (extremely pesticide-free) tree for just $5. Come on up!
The link:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/greenmountain/htm/greenmountain/g_permits2.htm
... said Joseph Fusco on Dec 3, 2012 at 3:08 PM | link
I know it isn't in Albany proper, but Rotterdam Fire District #2 on Curry Road (route 7) sells trees. $38 any size. This is our primary fundraiser for the year (we don't stand outside with boots, etc...)
... said Kristofer on Dec 3, 2012 at 3:08 PM | link
We always get ours from On the Farm on Route 2 in Latham. Nice people, good prices, and our tree is always beautiful.
... said s on Dec 3, 2012 at 3:13 PM | link
considering that AOA readers tend to lean hard to the left, i am really surprised by how many waste a tree for Christmas. i guess you can argue that the chemicals used to make the fake ones do as much damage, but you do the damage once and can have a fake tree for 20+ years. maybe i'm a grinch. i feel better getting that off my chest.
... said colleen on Dec 3, 2012 at 4:07 PM | link
waste a tree for Christmas
It's an agricultural product grown in USA for decoration purposes.I see no difference from Jack-o-Lantern pumpkins or tulips for Mother's Day.
Also used tree can be recycled into mulch and even when dumped into landfill helps with carbon sequestration.
... said Lu on Dec 3, 2012 at 8:14 PM | link
@ Colleen, yes you are a Grinch (just kidding). In all seriousness, I'm a major environmentalist, but that requires taking a hard look at how we live on this planet of limited resources (for instance, the process that goes into recycling some materials can be worse for the environment in terms of the energy/water consumption than if we just started anew, but I digress). At the end of the day, the fake tree is far worse for the environment, despite the years you can get out of it. These trees are made with non-renewable materials, and most fake trees possess materials (e.g. lead) that leach possible carcinogens into your household. With that said, while most living trees are far better, even the ones that are plastered with pesticides (major oil consumption/possible health hazards), there are efforts to produce a more nature friendly fake tree down the road. Based on what I quickly read, they are a ways off on such a prospect, because the materials that would have to be used would put a hefty price tag on the tree (even if in the long term they would be a bargain—unfortunately, most people do not look much farther out than the next few paychecks). At the end of the day, however, a replantable Christmas tree is the ultimate green and sustainable choice.
... said Rich on Dec 4, 2012 at 8:54 AM | link
Midred's Meadows in Duanesburg has trees, wreathes and more. She only sources her fresh produce, locally made packaged food items, plants & trees from ecologically responsibly sources. Go see the proprietor, Jessica Galasso with your questions. She's an expert.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mildreds-Meadows/113406792007143?fref=ts
... said Britin @ All Good Bakers on Dec 4, 2012 at 12:45 PM | link
The NYT just had an interesting article about the Christmas tree industry. Included was why you are unlikely to find any organic Christmas trees (unless you do as a poster above suggested and cut something down from the woods).
For those of you with environmental qualms about cut trees, consider a balled tree. You can plant them in the spring and enjoy a beautiful addition to your landscape for years to come!
... said Megan M on Dec 9, 2012 at 3:47 PM | link
I bought a "small" 7-foot tree at Van Etten in Altamont today, $35, and we noticed a few at Indian Ladder Farms (also Altamont) on our way back. Either places didn't have more than half a dozen left, but I assume they cut fresh every day.
... said -S on Dec 10, 2012 at 12:08 AM | link