Christmas tree

I threw away the Christmas tree today.

I know, you are thinking. Christmas trees should be thrown away in early January. We are almost to the end of March here, so it seems a little late to finally deal with the Christmas tree.  You are envisioning a brown stick with a carpet of needles under it. And you have the right vision.

But it wasn't supposed to end like this.

We bought the tree alive, in a pot, from a reputable florist. At least they seemed reputable. The cost was enough that we expected the tree to grow on for a good ten years.

It was green enough when we bought it. It stayed green through Christmas. Early in January we moved it outside to enjoy more light, because the bits away from the window seemed to be turning brown. We watered it regularly, but it kept turning brown.

And then we noticed it wasn't draining at all. So we stopped watering to see if that would help.

Nothing helped. It died. And we were in denial. Surely it could recover? The falling needles only indicated a minor flesh wound. Not death.

I decided when it turned a lovely shade of beige that the tree was fully dead.


Two garbage bags later, and after a long time on the balcony sweeping up needles and dirt, we are Christmas-tree free again.

Alas. Oh Christmas tree. Thy leaves are so unchanging.