Whatever your opinion of Christmas – contempt for its ever increasing commerciality and tarnished image, or loving every silver ball, mince pies, ‘Silent Night’ and all – most of us give in to some sentimentality at this time of the year. And perhaps the ‘jewel in the crown’ or ‘thorn in the side’ – depending on your point of view – of the festive season is the traditional Christmas tree. It brings back some of our fondest (and exaggerated?) childhood memories – decorating the tree, twinkly fairy lights, the general anticipation, fairy on the top and, of course, presents underneath! For some it’s a must and the real thing not a plastic look alike (no matter how life like); for others it just seems like a waste of a good tree! In recent years, particularly, there’s been much debate on fresh/artificial and there are, of course, arguments on both sides but strangely, perhaps, the fresh tree generally wins on the environmental front. Artificial trees, although lasting many years, are made of PVC with traces of lead and will take many decades to bio-degrade. An acre of live Christmas trees provides the oxygen needs for 18,000 people as well as sheltering wildlife during their growing years. The downside is that this sustainable crop, because it’s a mono-culture, is usually dependant on herbicides and pesticides; it’s rare to find an organically grown tree.
Given that few survive the Christmas season, the only really ‘green option’ is either to do without or choose an alternative – so, here are some decidedly different Christmas trees to ease your green conscience.
Several years ago I planted, in a client’s garden, a cedrus deodara, or Indian cedar, on a promontory at the head of their driveway. It improves with each passing year, the soft needle like leaves drooping gracefully against a clear blue sky – a stunning sight. One year I was invited to join them for Christmas Day and, after a typically delicious and boozy lunch, some set off on an enervating walk. I was amongst those without enervation, and we flopped out on the patio watching the sun go down. As the stars came up in the sky, tiny white twinkling lights sparsely scattered through the branches of the tree turned on – it was magical, combining together all the dreams and illusions of Christmas. C. deodara will reach 30m high x 10m spread and has very tiered branches with weeping tips – a magnificent specimen tree worth finding space for. Araucaria heterophylla, or Norfolk Island pine, will give an equally architectural, though stiffer, effect.
Another of my personal nominations may seem rather quirky, but that’s why I like it! Diospyros kaki, more commonly known as kaki in Spanish, persimmon or sharon fruit. Take a good look at this one at Christmas time. Its burnt orange coloured fruits hang on the bare branches, looking for all the world – in my opinion anyway – like baubles on a Christmas tree. The leaves turn rich reds and soft yellows before being blown away by the wind and the fruits decorate the branches until fully ripe. The exotic and luscious taste is magnificent in the mouth – but wait until they are wrinkling, under-ripe they are very acidic. To 10m high x 6m wide this is a very amenable tree, wind and drought tolerant and not too fussy as to soil.
I love the gnarled and weatherworn trunk of an old fig tree, ficus carica. In a prominent position and bare of its lush summer leafage, what could be more sculpturally beautiful yet entirely in keeping with the idea of a tree providing shelter, shade and sustenance. A ‘minimalist look’ would probably be the modern wordage for this grey-toned Christmas tree – a real character – yet what could be more traditional in this Mediterranean setting?
And, to go back to the birthplace of the Christmas story, the first tree that the baby Jesus would probably have set eyes upon would have been the date palm, phoenix dactylifera! This tall, perhaps to 25m, tree has a thinnish trunk that often curves and a crown of ribbed leaves composed of stiff and greyish coloured leaflets. It’s known to have been cultivated for some 5000 years, an immensely useful tree – history, tradition and nourishment all in one. For dates, trees of opposite sexes will be needed, though 1 male can have a harem of 100 females – there’s a Christmas gift for all you males to dream on!
All of us at Viveros Florena would like to wish our Clients a very happy festive season.
Opening hours of garden centre: Tuesday – Saturday inclusive, 10 – 4
24 December, closing at 2pm
25, 26 and 27 December closed
31 December, closing at 2pm and closed 1st. January 2009
Tel : 689928201 E-mail : florenaspain@hotmail.com
