Some people (apparently) buy Christmas trees in November. Others are buying their trees closer to Christmas. Then there is the artificial Christmas tree crowd. Each of these tree-buying solutions comes with a downside. Early trees may well dry out before Christmas. All real trees will be have to be disposed of at one time or another. Artificial trees take up closet, attic, or basement storage space. Perhaps the ideal solution would be an uncut living tree that minds its own business until it is attired in decorations for the Christmas season. I live in New York City – and living Christmas trees are not practicable for most of us (my place was too dry to keep a Norfolk Island pine alive through the winter, alas). But one home in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, with a decently-sized front yard and good lighting manages to host a evergreen Christmas tree:
That is a very big tree.
I dare say that this tree rivals the cut Christmas trees I photographed in Metro Tech and Grand Army Plaza in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
Unlike those cut trees, however, this Christmas tree lives all year around. It gains lights during the Christmas season while minding its own business for the rest of the year. The tree is also home to a multitude of sparrows. Not seen in my photos are all of the sparrows who were flying to and from the tree as I set up my phone camera. Whether it is Christmas or summer, one will often hear the chirping sparrows while walking by.
