Why Cut Down the Rockefeller Christmas Tree?

This year's Christmas Tree for Rockefeller Center in New York City, a seventy four foot blue spruce, was cut down from a 9/11 first responders yard in Mahopac, N.Y. It's a good story and the family that donated it deserves praise. Soon crowds will jam midtown for the festive lighting of the tree and the unofficial kick-off of the holiday season. That's all good but how about this: Why cut down the tree? Why not dig up that root ball and keep the tree alive?

It might cost a little more to do but it would send a great message of sustainability for Rockefeller Center, NBC, and even the city. Plus, after the holidays, it could be replanted, maybe in a special grove in the New York Botanical Gardens or Central Park or somewhere. People could visit Christmas Tree Grove and continue to enjoy trees from years past, especially during this time of year. This same idea could be applied to the National Christmas Tree in Washington, DC., and other trees. It would not change the traditions or the festivities, just supply a few more warm fuzzies knowing the tree is alive.

In case you would like a tie-in to Eco Ocean: Trees absorb greenhouse gases so keeping them alive helps fight climate change. Climate Change threatens the oceans on many levels including making the oceans more acidic, raising sea level, and melting polar ice.

Alive is Better

Photo credit: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images