YOUR FREE NOT-FOR-PROFIT NEWSPAPER I #heartofthehinterland I Ph: 0481 906 451 I Email: editorial@cooroyrag.com.au I 26 November 2024
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Owner of Noosa Christmas Trees Matt Wheeler with his partner Siobhan and children River and Indigo.
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Real or artificial: the great Christmas tree debate BY SARAH JANE SCOTT
AS the yuletide season approaches, households face a festive dilemma: real or artificial Christmas tree? Each option has passionate supporters, with the choice often coming down to tradition, environmental impact, convenience, and cost. While some say nothing can replace the scent and feel of a real tree, others argue for the longevity and ease of artificial options. Matthew Wheeler, owner of Noosa Christmas Trees, procures real Christmas trees for Noosa
Shire locals, and for him, the benefits go far beyond the festive atmosphere. Each year, his business donates a portion of proceeds to Inclusive Kids. "Christmas is all about altruism, especially in wealthy areas like Noosa," he said. "People are often looking for ways to give back, and buying a real tree that supports local farmers and charities is a meaningful way to do it." A major consideration in the real vs. artificial tree debate is environmental impact. Sellers of real trees argue they’re more eco-friendly as part of a renewable
cycle. Jeremy Monaghan of The Tree Elves, one of Australia’s largest Christmas tree sellers, highlighted their farm’s sustainability practices. "We’re doing our part to reduce the carbon footprint. For every tree we cut down, we plant approximately 1.5 trees, ensuring the land remains green and continues to sequester carbon," he said. Matthew emphasised that real trees generally have a lower carbon footprint than artificial ones, given the energyintensive processes involved in manufacturing and shipping fake
trees. “A real tree captures carbon as it grows, and at the end of the season, it can be composted or mulched, leaving no waste behind,” he said. “New trees are planted each time we harvest one, creating a renewable cycle.” Jeremy added, “We’re close to being carbon-neutral when you consider the carbon captured by the trees and the energy used to grow them. It’s a much smaller footprint compared to artificial trees, which are often made from plastic and metal and require significant energy to produce and transport.”
On the other hand, artificial trees are often chosen for their convenience. Kevin Broberg, chief operating officer of Amazing Christmas, an online company based in NSW, said, "There’s no mess with artificial trees. When I was younger, we had real trees, but we were glad when artificial ones came out. With artificial trees, you can choose what you want, and they even come pre-lit. You just take it out of the box, set it up, and plug it in. Some people even buy a new tree each year instead of storing them." Continued on page 3.
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