Although the City of Austin offers Christmas tree recycling, https://www.austintexas.gov/treerecycling, there is no denying that our holiday décor impacts climate change. Noting that Christmas tree farms are suffering crop losses from extreme weather, Green Matters concludes that: “While Christmas tree farms are in danger from climate change, cutting down a Christmas tree for a month’s use isn’t necessarily sustainable.” https://www.greenmatters.com/weather-and-global-warming/christmas-trees-climate-change. Among earth.org’s suggestions for a more environmentally friendly holiday, they recommend decorating: 1) a secondhand artificial tree, 2) an outdoor living tree or 3) an indoor potted tree. https://earth.org/real-vs-fake-christmas-tree-environmental-impact/. There are living trees that can be transitioned from the home into our own local landscape: https://tngaustin.com/december/. You don’t even have to miss out on the holiday home fragrance because Christmas tree sellers, including big box stores, frequently offer free cuttings that can be used for centerpieces and wreaths.
Poinsettias are not annuals, and they should not be left outdoors in our cold winter weather: https://aggie-hort.tamu.edu/newsletters/hortupdate/hortupdate_archives/2005/nov05/Poinsettias.html. Although it is best to purchase native plants, there is no reason to waste what can be used as a houseplant in our area. Unwanted poinsettias are frequently offered for free on Craigslist after the holidays, and they can revive if given a little patience and rudimentary care. The poinsettia in this month’s photograph came from our very own neighborhood plant stand last season, and it does not have colorful bracts because its lighting was not controlled.
North Loop Neighborhood Association 