Slice of Life

This 17 inch wide cake stand costs $75.00.
etsy.com

I'm having an autumn wedding, and one of the trends I continue to see on wedding sites is a trend that fits perfectly with an autumn wedding.  That trend is, the tree slice.  I've seen several dessert tables that have tree slices of various heights as stands for cakes, pies and cookies.  It's autumnal, earthy and charming.
The question then becomes, are tree slices eco-friendly?  Well, they certainly ain't budget-friendly.  I hoped that since we're talking about what are seemingly "leftovers" of previously cut trees, that they would be sold at bulk for a reasonable price.  Say, ten slices for twenty bucks.  In actuality, a single slice can run anywhere from twenty to a hundred dollars, depending on the size and whether or not it's custom engraved.
But price aside, the question remains, is it eco-friendly?
The answer: it depends.  You can find a reliable supplier that uses recycled materials at etsy.com, if you're really interested.  But everything I love at Etsy seems to be out of my price range, so I'm out of luck.
In the end, I've decided to skip the tree slice, and use reusable plates and stands that I'll collect from family members.  After all, nothing's cheaper or better for the planet than borrowing from a friend.
~ the green/green bride