Picking the Right Christmas Tree

For apartment dwellers, space comes at a premium and it’s not always possible to squeeze in a lush Douglas fir during the holidays. Luckily, this doesn’t mean you have to go treeless. Here are some options for those in small spaces:

Bonsai trees
You can literally ‘trim the tree’ with these demure designer bushes. Shaping bonsai trees is an ancient Japanese art, and can be a very calming experience. Though bonsais may not be as flashy as their Western counterparts, can’t we all use an extra moment of zen around the holidays?

Rosemary bushes
Readily available in home-improvement and garden stores, live, cone-shaped rosemary bushes have the look and feel of traditional trees, but miniature. Great for those who are sensitive to strong pine smells, rosemary bushes come with their own distinctive scent. From teacup size to two feet tall, you can answer the need for holiday cheer and your entire year’s worth of rosemary all in one tree.

Live trees
Still feel raw about cutting down a tree? Then don’t. Live trees are a great option, as they are smaller than most traditional trees, but bigger than bonsais or bushes. After the holidays, find an appealing spot and plant it. If you have a deck or porch, the tree can sit happily in its little pot year round and be brought inside during the holidays.