People don’t have to feel guilty about using a real tree to decorate in their homes for the holiday season, says the Ministry of Natural Resources.
“When we look at things like petroleum products and metals that are extracted from the ground that go into making an artificial Christmas tree, using a naturally harvested tree year after year actually has a smaller ecological footprint,” said Michelle Nowak, regional communication and marketing specialist with the MNR.
“In fact, real trees are a naturally sustainable product,” she added.
Ontario residents are entitled to harvest one real tree on Crown land per family to be used as a Christmas tree. People do not need a permit unless they intend to sell the tree.
The MNR is encouraging people to find a tree on Crown land, like a highway right-of-way, as long as there isn’t any active forest management happening on the site.
Nowak said aside from Crown land, people can also purchase and harvest their own tree through Ontario tree growers, which helps the local economy more than buying an artificial tree from a store.
Jeannine Ross manages LCR Estates Ltd., one of several local tree farms, and says they have hundreds of trees for people to come chop down for the holidays or pre-cut trees ready to go.
She said it’s become more popular over the years for families to come out and choose their own tree and it’s become a tradition for many families.
“They love going out in the field and finding their own Christmas tree. They bring their family. They bring their friends. They bring their dogs. It’s a really nice thing to do at Christmastime,” Ross said.
Not only does Ross prefer the look and smell of a real Christmas tree, but it’s also better for the environment.
“Not only do we have trees available at Christmas, but we’re always replanting trees,” she said. “We supply large evergreens as landscaping trees as well. It is a good thing. It is a very sustainable thing.”
To find out where Crown land close to your home is contact the local MNR office.
