“I have an artificial Christmas tree because it is better for the environment than getting a real one.” This statement is one that I have heard all too often ever since getting into the Christmas tree business, but I believe it is ill informed. And I get it. Even I, at first glance, felt that the notion of buying a real Christmas tree was a transgression amongst the world we live in. We were taught as children to always turn the water off when brushing your teeth, recycle your soda cans, and that planting trees are all good environmental practices to which we should adhere. So when it came time to decide what type of Christmas tree to get for the year, the cognitive dissonance between doing what you were taught and enjoying festive Christmas traditions seemed at odds. In fact, the way that I had envisioned it was that a Paul Bunyan-looking man in flannel hiked up into the mountains, chopped down native trees at will, and wheeled them back into the local town for personal gain, all the while the forest was weeping as another collection of trees had disappeared. A sad thought indeed.

 

I soon however realized that this was not the case… In fact, upon further inspection, I found that the practice of using real Christmas trees during the holidays is actually far better for the environment than their artificial counterpart! Some may say that is a wild claim, but hear me out:

 

1. The Production of Artificial Trees vs. The Growing of Real Trees

 

Let’s first talk about how artificial Christmas trees are produced. They are typically made from non-renewable materials like PVC and metal with a somewhat energy-intensive production process that emits a substantial amount of greenhouse gasses. In contrast, real Christmas trees are planted and grown on large farms where they absorb carbon dioxide as they grow. If it wasn’t for Christmas tree sales, these trees would not be planted. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, close to 350 million Christmas trees are currently growing on US farms. Think about how many environmental benefits we get from having those extra trees around!  They improve air quality, improve soil conditions, create habitats for wildlife, and filter storm runoff, just to name a few. With the average growing time of a traditional 6-7 ft. Christmas trees being 7 years, each Christmas tree provides an incredible service to our surroundings during its growing phase.

 

1. Sustainable Farming Practices

 

Real Christmas trees are grown on dedicated tree farms that use sustainable farming practices. What does this mean exactly? Well in our case, with each tree that is harvested, a new tree is planted in its place. It is a constant pattern of harvesting and replanting that contributes to its sustainability. This continuous cycle helps to maintain soil health. And again, this constant growth of new trees continues to improve air quality and provide habitat for wildlife. 

For a second, consider the unprocessed food that we eat at the grocery store that was grown on a farm. Take fruits and vegetables, for example. The food was planted to be grown, harvested for personal consumption, and then in the case of crops like corn and wheat need to be replanted to be able to produce for the following season. In the exact same way, Christmas trees follow the same life cycle, albeit a slower time-frame, with all the positive advantages that they contribute to the ecosystem (as mentioned previously) along the way. We don’t think negatively about corn or wheat production, so why should we think anything different about Christmas trees?

  

1. Biodegradability 

 

  Lastly, one of the most significant environmental benefits of real Christmas trees is their biodegradability. What does it look like when all the festivities are over? Well, when a real tree is disposed of properly—such as through curbside pickup programs or recycling centers—they can be composted or chipped into mulch, enriching the soil and reducing landfill waste. Heck, they can even be put into ponds to create fish habitats! In contrast, artificial trees, made from plastics and metals, do not break down easily and can contribute to long-term environmental pollution. While, yes, they can be re-boxed and thrown into the attic for the following year, at some point an artificial tree will run its course and at that time, to the landfill it will go. 

 

So while I am admittedly a biased author in this situation, I do feel that the points I have laid out here do clearly make a case for why purchasing live Christmas trees is not harmful for the environment. And even more so, not just “not harmful”, but actually better! However, ultimately the decision is yours. Artificial trees pose many benefits such as cleanliness, cost, convenience, and predictability which can’t all be said when choosing a real tree. So while I can sympathize and understand the reasons behind why people purchase them, please, the phrase “Because they are better for the environment” shouldn’t be one of them.