In the United Kingdom it is tradition, during Christmas time, to bring home a tree, cover it with decorations and lights, and watch it slowly die.  As the tree is inhaling its last breaths it seems to exhale needles all around the immediate area as well as the entire house.  This tradition is not native to the United Kingdom, it can be traced back prior to Christianity to Pagans, Romans, and Vikings.  As a matter of fact, Christmas trees were preferred by Vikings during their rites and ceremonies.

When a Christmas tree has fulfilled its Christmas task we are faced with a task of our own:  dropped needle collection!  Needles are a thorn in the side (and sometimes the foot) of anyone who owns a Christmas tree.  They collect on the carpet when the Christmas tree is stationary and all over your vehicle when the Christmas tree is transported and seem to have immunity to the vacuum and a broom.  What can be done about dead Christmas trees and their ever present and spreading needles?

The answer to the Christmas tree needles has been attempted to be answered by many and they are often incorrect.  What if I use some type of bag to help with dead Christmas tree needles?  It will not work.  How about if I use some type of sticky spray that causes the needles to stay once they have died?  It has been tried and it does not work either.  Often times, out of frustration or sheer disdain for dead Christmas tree needles, people will purchase a fake Christmas tree.  A fake Christmas tree is green, does not shed its needles but, at the end of the day, it is fake.  There is no Christmas tree feel or Christmas tree smell.  It is hard to feel in the festive spirit with a Christmas tree that is void of everything that makes a Christmas tree a Christmas tree!

A more realistic solution is for people to purchase an actual tree, such as the Nordman Fir.  A problem with purchasing a tree that does retain its needles is that those who are in the business of selling Christmas trees know this fact as well and a high demand always equals a higher price.  Once a person buys a Christmas tree (a real Christmas tree) they also have to worry about daily maintenance that must be accomplished.  Watering has been problematic for some people, as failure to do so will kill any Christmas tree, regardless of its tendencies to hold needles.  To solve the problem of watering some people will cut the base of the Christmas tree at an angle to increase the amount of water the tree can receive.  This works until the tree depletes its water supply to the point that a large part of the base is exposed and it dries.  When this happens the tree is unable to sufficiently take in water in that area.

So what is the answer to the dead Christmas tree/spreading needle question?  One cannot buy a Christmas tree without facing this problem.  What if a potted and well pruned Christmas tree was taken (with roots intact), delivered to your doorstep, enjoyed by your family, collected after Christmas, and replanted once the tree had reached maturity?  That would no doubt solve our problem of fake Christmas trees and dying Christmas trees (that spread needles).

Surely such a thing does not exist, you may think.  After all, it would be too good to be true.  Well, think again.  The answer to our question has arrived and that answer is rented Christmas trees!  When you rent a Christmas tree you not only save yourself the aggravation of dead and spread needles but you also grant a reprieve for a Christmas tree and the environment.  A rented Christmas tree can account for ten percent of someone's carbon footprint.  In other words, you rent a Christmas tree and ten percent of the carbon emissions you would be responsible for throughout the year will be wiped from your yearly carbon footprint.

This Christmas when you are questioning things like the ease of getting a tree, your impact on the environment, and last but not least what to do about all of those pesky dead Christmas tree needles, there is but one answer:  Rent a Christmas tree.