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An artificial or natural tree? That is the question
R.M. Wijitha
Natural Christmas trees are gradually being replaced with plastic and metal-made trees.
An artificial tree or a natural Christmas tree? This is probably a debate which occurs among families who decorate their homes for Christmas.
The Christmas tree, a prominent symbol of the festive season, is caught up in the debate between natural, plastic or metal trees.
Speaking to sellers of natural Xmas trees at Havelock Town revealed sales of natural trees have dropped sharply this year, as man-made trees are more sought after by shoppers.
“We bring natural trees with great difficulty to continue a tradition that has continued for years. But with plastic and metal trees now becoming trendy, the tradition of the natural tree being used may soon die out. In future children will not experience the touch and the smell of the natural tree in the house” an emotional R.M. Wijitha, a natural-tree seller said.
In addition to its distinctive smell the natural Christmas tree is the essence of the Christmas season and adds to the excitement of the festival he added.
Cutting these trees doesn’t damage the environment either he claimed, as the trees are grown on privately owned lands especially for use during the Christmas season, where sellers cut branches of trees which are far too large.
“ We could stop selling the trees because there are so many issues, and the small profit we earn through the sales of these trees said Mr. Wijesinghe, but we continue to do this to add to the spirit of Christmas as well as to keep the tradition going” he added.
A common problem facing sellers of natural Christmas trees this year was the difficulty to obtain permits for cutting and transporting the Christmas tree itself. Many a seller was confused as to why this problem had arisen.
Sellers are also up in arms over the change in the venue where the trees are permitted to be sold. They said the venue had been moved from the Viharamadevi Park area to Havelock Town,where the lack of shade was having a detrimental effect on the natural tree.
A dying demand: Natural trees are losing their place to artificial trees. Pix by Athula Devaraj
Sellers of natural trees highlighted the environmental dangers posed by the use of its plastic counter-part.
“The use of plastic trees are harmful to the environment as plastic is not degradable unlike the natural tree.” said Supun Lahiru Prakash Chairman, Biodiversity Conservation and Research Circle.
He added that once a plastic tree is cast aside, unlike the natural tree the plastic tree takes many years to degrade which is extremely harmful for the environment.
Today natural trees are available from prices ranging between Rs 1,000 and Rs 4,000.