However, you have done your job by writing on a controversial topic, giving only part of the facts, to get readers fired up. Congratulations and Merry Christmas.

Yes. My point was more that nothing is likely being "destroyed" right now as the tree farms are replenished. Likely no net loss (or little), but yes, balled trees may realize a net gain. Though I think the logistics make it too difficult for most people to want to bother.

This does give me a neat idea, though. Give newlyweds a living container tree (somewhat small). It's the "family tree". Keep it year round, decorate it every year. Annual gifts could include a special ornament of some sort. In that way, the tree (and ornaments) grow with the family. After a few years, when it's too large to keep in a container, plant it somewhere. Neat idea.

Of course, at some point the trees would grow too large for the average household, but maybe they can be genetically engineered to only grow 4-8 feet (or larger for those who like 'em big.)

But I gotta tell you, I would definitely miss the end-of-year ritual some friends of mine and I have of taking all the old, holiday x-mas trees we can find and having a big bonfire with them.

OJ, the first year our cat came to live with us, we took him to be neutered a couple weeks before Christmas. When I brought him home from the vet, he immediately climbed the Christmas tree. He became tangled in the beaded garland in a most painful way and has never bothered a tree since.