Pesticides in Christmas trees: what to watch out for!

Environmentalists are calling for limits on Christmas trees because they are sometimes contaminated with pesticides and other pollutants. Organic trees are only slightly more expensive. This article aims to show which substances are problematic and what alternatives exist.

Where do our Christmas trees come from?

In the past, Christmas trees were a by-product of forestry and were part, so to speak, of forest management, since only weak or distressed trees were cut down. Today it would no longer be possible to pay for it and we would not even be able to cope with the high demand. Around 30 million Christmas trees are sold throughout Germany during the Christmas period.

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Most Christmas trees come from Germany. About 25% of our trees come from here. Large growth regions are also found abroad. Many trees are grown, especially in Poland and Denmark. The fact that the tree is idyllically cut down in a natural forest is almost no longer real. Most of our Christmas trees come from tree cultures. They are grown in so-called “special use areas”. These are special cultivation areas that are not suitable for long-term coniferous forests. Such growing areas are often found around high voltage lines or pipelines. In order for these trees to be grown quickly and cheaply, they are treated with harmful substances such as insecticides, herbicides, fungicides or glyphosate. The reason is that the trees should grow quickly and without weeds or other annoying plants. The herbicide glyphosate plays a particularly important role here. This is also often used in orchards, so that weed removal is no longer necessary. The weeds are growing. This is nature’s way. But some organic farms have found alternatives. We’ll talk about it later.

Our herb cellar magazine

Our self-designed newsletter appears once a quarter Wild Herbs Magazine (available here). You get it in a print and digital version. Depending on your reading habits, we have your favorites to choose from. In the winter magazine you will find, in addition to other recipes and tips, the recipe for black radish cough suppressant. You can buy magazines in our shop www.die-moderne-Kräuterhexe.de

What pesticides were found?

For years we have been talking about harmful substances in the Christmas trees that people bring into their homes with the scent of pine, but pollution is also a problem for the environment. Harmful substances also penetrate the aquifers and put a strain on the ecosystem, but also, for example, on insects and other animal species. BUND tested a sample in 2018. 17 trees were purchased from different locations for analysis purposes and the needles were sent to the laboratory. Shockingly, 76% of the trees were contaminated and contained environmental toxins and pesticides. Nine different types of pesticides were found, including “five of the most dangerous” currently used in the EU. This is a quote from the BUND report on the sample. You can read the entire test report here.

Is this alarmism? We have looked at what materials are involved here. What was found in this test included:

• Lambda-cyhalothrin (insecticide, the most harmful pesticide approved in the EU and very toxic to bees)
• Parathion-Ethyl (illegal and banned in the EU for 15 years)
• Glyphosate

Now you could say that the random sample was very small and that not all trees were exposed to the same level of stress. The problem, however, is the cocktail of pesticides, because often several have been found on a tree sample.

What damage can these pesticides cause and to what extent do they pose a problem for humans? Since you don’t eat the tree, the question arises as to how any pesticide residue could be dangerous to humans. Warm homes, in particular, can encourage the release of such pesticides. The tree not only exudes the scent of pine, but a certain amount of harmful substances can also find their way into our living room. Researchers give the green light for humans, but environmentalists draw attention above all to the consequences of cultivation for the environment. We could pay for the cost-effective use of herbicides and fertilizers elsewhere, as this widespread use can impact biodiversity and water quality. It has been known for years that trees are sometimes heavily polluted, but not much has changed because there are no limits for Christmas trees.

Are there eco-friendly Christmas trees?

Yes, there are. However, the percentage of organic trees is negligible. It is estimated that about 1% of all Christmas trees are grown under ecological conditions where the use of pesticides or mineral fertilizers is prohibited. Animals such as herds of sheep can provide an alternative to pesticides. A breed of sheep that eats weeds but leaves the trees alone is used, for example, in organic Christmas trees.

If you want an organic Christmas tree, you should pay attention to the following seals:

• Bioland
• Demeter
• EU organic
• Nature
• FSC

Incidentally, an organic tree doesn’t cost much more than a conventional one. In this regard, it is worth looking for an organic Christmas tree to do something good for yourself and the environment or to give up the tree altogether. A list of where to buy organic Christmas trees can be found here on Robin Wood.

Your introduction to the world of wild herbs – our herb book

Wild herbs are a precious gift from nature and, compared to cultivated vegetables, grown wildly and naturally. In our book “With wild herbs and medicinal plants all year round” (available here) we have collected many of our experiences in dealing with wild herbs and medicinal plants on over 168 pages. The book is divided seasonally. For each plant you will always find recommendations for use in the medicine cabinet and witch’s kitchen. You can buy the book together with other books, calendars and cards written and designed by us in our online shop Herb Witches at www.die-moderne-Kräuterhexe.de We pack and ship all orders ourselves. By purchasing in our shop you support our free offers on the topic of wild herbs and medicinal plants, such as this blog or our YouTube channel (click here). We would like to thank you in advance for your support!

Never miss harvest time again

In fact, wild herbs can be found all year round, even in December! And if there is a solid snow cover, you can (hopefully) use grasses that have been dried throughout the year. So that you are not late in the future, we have created a seasonal wild herb calendar (available here). Month after month you will find plants that are particularly widespread in nature. We have deliberately avoided using a calendar so that the calendar is valid forever. You can also find the calendar in our online shop at www.die-moderne-Kräuterhexe.de There we also have different sets in combination with our books and postcards. Check it out. We look forward to your digital visit!

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Here is an overview of the channels on which you can also get free information and recipes:

Gifts of herbs under the tree

If you are still looking for a suitable gift for Christmas, you should take a look at our herb witches online shop at www.die-moderne-Kräuterhexe.de! We have created several sets specifically for Christmas, where you save compared to buying them individually! In our shop you can also find our collector’s bags or self-made Christmas cards. But there are only a few copies left here!

You can also buy our products on Amazon. But only individually and not at a special price!

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