Sir, - Kate McMorrow's interviewee, Denise Downey (Property supplement, December 6th) states that her Christmas tree is artificial because "she is passionate about protecting nature". Where does this daft notion come from? The tired argument that artificial trees are somehow kinder to the environment than the real thing is nonsense.
Artificial Christmas trees are made from plastic, which is made from oil, which is non-renewable and in finite supply. Natural trees, on the other hand, are just that - which means they have exactly the same positive environmental attributes as all trees, namely infinite renewability, carbon sequestration during their lifetime, oxygen production as a by-product of photosynthesis, habitat and shelter for wildlife, and so on.
Christmas trees are grown specifically for the purpose, so in acquiring one we are not contributing to the depletion of tropical rain forests, nor even sustainably managed temperate forests. If there were no market for natural trees they simply wouldn't be planted in the first place.
Ireland has a growing Christmas tree industry which contributes to the creation of employment, alternative farm enterprises and investment in the rural economy. Exports of high quality Irish tress are increasing and are establishing an excellent reputation for the industry throughout Europe. Christmas tree farms, in common with conventional forests, enhance the rural environment for all forms of life, human as well as wild.
Buy an artificial tree if you have to, but by doing so, don't cod yourself into thinking you're being kinder to the environment. Quite the reverse. - Yours, etc.,
William Merivale, Cheveley Johnston & Company, (Agricultural and Forestry Consultants), Wellington Road, Cork.