Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Sundance Square holiday tree — is it worth it?
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So, they installed the big holiday tree in Sundance Square yesterday, and it’s a good-looking tree. And the Star-Telegram reported yesterday that it will be illuminated using 100% wind energy. I’m glad that Sundance Square has taken a leadership role in using cleaner energy, but I have a nagging question about the tree that I want to pose to you West & Clear readers:
Is it necessary?
I mean, I’m not trying to pooh-pooh tradition or anything… but it seems like a big waste, regardless of the energy source.
According to my (very superficial) research, a 54-foot blue spruce is probably somewhere around 30 years old, and it probably removes somewhere in the ballpark of 500 pounds of CO2 and other pollutants from the air every year.
It had to come here, presumably on a diesel truck, from Grand Rapids, Michigan - about 1140 miles. A typical 18-wheeler would burn 190 gallons of diesel fuel on that trip, emitting about 4218 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere, not to mention all the nasty nitrogen oxides and other ozone-forming pollutants.
So even though emissions-free electricity is being used to light the thing, there are 4718 more pounds of greenhouse gases in the air because we cut it down and trucked it here. Plus 500 more pounds each year for the next 40 years (20,000 more pounds!), because the tree can’t do it’s job anymore.
It’s a serious question - is it worth it?
Pegasus News content partner - West and Clear
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Comments
Pavel Lishin Verified
Why not just plant a tree there permanently?
11 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Travis Bush Verified
If it came from a tree farm, I really don't have a problem with it. However, if they just found a landowner willing to chop a tree down from their forest, maybe not. I'm with Pavel though, just plant one now so we only have to chop 30 more down.
11 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
alexander troup Verified
Bug's might get it and it has to have Insurance and a licence plate from the Governor...A.T,.. Licenced in Tree Surgey
11 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Jason Rice Verified
A bioluminescent one!
http://www.isbc.unibo.it
No wires! No windpower!
11 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
alexander troup Verified
Rice should have the honor's of lighting the tree...
11 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Travis Bush Verified
J Rice that is the coolest shiite EVAR!
11 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
alexander troup Verified
Now that is a tree event to go to, will the Peg head on out for the event and abandon Dallas for a night, for once.
11 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Theusla Anonymous
This is going to be a sad and joyless world if all the tree huggers get there way.
11 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
alexander troup Verified
Or the tree buggers...
11 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Pavel Lishin Verified
"This is going to be a sad and joyless world if all the tree huggers get there way. "
Yeah, I know I commit suicide every Christmas that I don't have a tree.
11 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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