Un-TreeHugger: The Inverted, “Trendy” Christmas Tree
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 12. 7.05
Has anyone else heard this crazy talk about the hottest new upside-down Christmas tree “trend?” We’ve seen the pink trees, the snow-covered trees and aluminum trees and while reading the morning paper we came across this headline and was so astonished we wanted to write about it. Apparently stores that carry these new inverted, artificial trees can’t keep them in stock. They are designed to fight gravity and keep their umbrella shape, whether it hangs from the ceiling or sits in the stand for a floor display. However strange this trend may be though, this isn’t the first time it’s been done. Germany hung their trees upside-down back in the 12th century to represent the Holy Trinity.
Considered a “wow” kind of tree (uh, yeah, ya think?) by some retailers, certified-arborists are worried because this trend is catching on to the real pines as well. Because upside-down trees go completely against nature they would require special steps like bending the branches and misting the trees with water to prevent them from drying out. Retailers are excited because they are now “cashing in” on families that are buying multiple artificial trees for different rooms in the house. Even Christmas tree farms have plans to make some money off of this. For example, a woman in Georgia is in the process of designing a DIY upside-down tree with a real one she cut from her own farm. “Just think how easy it would be to put gifts under the tree,” she says. We’re not so sure we agree. Besides, what do we do with this ugly tree when this “trend” goes out of style? Via ::The Providence Journal
Back in the 12th century ?
I'm coming from the city where there is the first written mention of a christmas tree and it's in 1521 and not located in Germany but France (OK, Alsace is really close to the border and was kind of german in 1521, but anyway).
This is a waste of space on here as untreehugger artificial trees may be bad but it saves a tree from being cut down plus they last longer so next time consider that fact! Granted tree farmers would replace a cut tree with new seedlings so another words there is nothing to worry about here. The Germans used real trees and hung them upside down so they did a DIY sort of deal to. After the tree is cut it is up to that person/people what to do with it This UNTREEHUGGER POST ABOUT UPSIDE TREES IS TAKING UP VALUABLE SPACE ON YOUR SITE THERE ARE BIGGER CONCERNS IN THE WORLD THAN A POSTING THAT EQUATES TO GOSSIP!
chris,
i think the point is that it's a waste of money and an unnecessary good in general, not the difference btw. a cut tree and an artificial tree. they've already posted on that. why would i go out and by this ugly tree if i already have an artificial tree that's just fine? because i'm posting a comment, does that mean i'm gossiping?
Ok, I guess the above comment makes sense, but I was going to comment that putting trees up this way helps a lot if you have cats that enjoy exploring in the tree. It's harder for them to get into one hung upside down.
I have to say it, why are we putting up trees at all?? I might understand live, growing trees (small) in planters but to go out and chop down a tree that will only be displayed for about 3 weeks is just plain silly. I had a friend who put it best, "kill a tree for Christ".
Goes completely against nature? Bending branches? What? Are you imagining some sort of bonsai christmas tree farm? If you want to hang your tree upside down, attach it to the ceiling somehow. What you're calling a trend has a history. And why is this so "ugly," exactly? It just looks like an upside-down tree to me. This is by far the worst post I've ever seen on Treehugger.
Seems to me this is not "un-treehugger" at all. look how it is shaped. to me it makes it much easier to hug the tree since the skinny end is down where you can more easily get your arms around it. When it is placed in a standard position, you have the danger of having to lean into the tree to hug it causing the possibility of losing your balance bringing you and the tree down to the ground.
P.S - why is ellipsis not allowed on this site? Why is ". . ." not an allowed phrase to post? Sheesh
I'm loving the upside down thing.Hang it at a 45 degree angle. But only with fake trees. Upside down or not people are still cutting down trees. Hang your fake any way you like just keep it and reuse it.