Christmas tree farms may use pesticide
Credit: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service CC
As all of the world becomes more environmentally aware, disposing of items that a few years ago would have just been consigned to tips is less accepted.
In Europe, many of us purchase real Christmas trees and once January 6 has passed and all of the decorations are stripped, there is a new dilemma concerning their disposal.
What to do with old Christmas trees, one thing not to do is eat them according to Belgian Federal Food Agency
Some countries set up special disposal areas where they can be dropped off and turned to mulch which can be then used for gardening purposes, whilst individuals with gardens often try to plant the trees but for many with little success.
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Those with fireplaces can cut the tree up and burn whilst others who want a wild garden can simply leave it unplanted and see how it becomes inhabited.
The City of Ghent has been encouraging those with Christmas trees to dispose of the trees sensibly, but one of its ideas which is to make a Scandinavian soup with the needles has caused the Belgian Federal Food Agency (FASFC) to publicly denounce the idea.
Christmas trees are not part of the food chain, may have been sprayed with pesticide so are not suitable to eat
The reason is simple, as Christmas trees are not part of the normal food chain, they are never tested by the FASFC and it is more than likely that they will, during their growing period, have been sprayed with pesticide which could be hazardous to humans.
The Scandinavian recipes, according to the Food Agency take fresh needles from wild pines which are also of a different species to the average Christmas tree sold in Belgium.