A symbol of holiday cheer, the iconic Christmas tree can be spotted in many homes through- out the month of December. Despite the established importance of the Christmas tree, many individuals debate the value and convenience of real and fake trees.
The debate remains present at MHS where 58% of surveyed students report having real trees while the remaining 42% report owning artificial trees. Despite the divide in what type of tree MHS families feature in their homes, there are clear benefits and inhibiting factors to each type of tree. Read below to learn what factors should guide your decision!
Environmental Impact
Real Christmas trees are likely better for the environment. Of the nearly 10 million artificial trees purchased each holiday season, 90% are shipped from China. The process of transporting these trees is laborious and contributes to increased carbon emissions. For each artificial tree shipped to the US, approximately 88 lbs of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere–10 times the amount of carbon that a sustainably grown, properly recycled real Christmas tree releases (OneTreePlanted) Additionally, artificial trees are composed of various types of plastic including rubber and PVC.
The plastic utilized in the production of these trees means they are unable to be recycled. At the end of their life cycle, most artificial trees end up in landfills, meaning they contribute to the 400 million tons of plastic waste produced each year (UNEC). Real trees also have fewer environmental impacts than one might assume.
Real trees are often mistakenly associated with deforestation but, in reality, Christmas tree farms have net positive effects on the environment. Christmas trees take approximately seven years to mature, absorbing carbon dioxide and improving air quality.
While harvesting trees releases some stored carbon, farms counteract this by planting new seedlings. Moreover, for every 350-500 million Christmas trees grown each year, only 30 million are harvested for the holiday.
Buying real trees helps keep tree farms in business and, in turn, keeps the land covered in healthy, dense forest (The Nature Conservatory).
After the holidays, real trees decompose naturally, minimizing their environmental impact.
Cost and Maintenance
When deciding what type of tree to purchase, cost and maintenance often prove to be two key issues. A six-foot tree—real or artificial—costs about $85. However, artificial trees provide long-term saving opportunities as they can be stored and reused for decades. Maintenance also favors artificial trees; they don’t leave behind pine needles and don’t require frequent watering. Moreover, artificial trees are often safer for pets. Both dogs and cats are at risk of ingesting fall- en pine needles which has the potential to harm the animal’s digestive system (Texas A&M University).
For many, the added maintenance associated with a natural tree does not outweigh the sense of nostalgia real trees evoke.
The scent of fresh pine, the process of picking out the perfect tree, and the annual ritual of setting it up can create cherished memories that artificial trees may lack considering they often come pre-decorated and are reused annually.
The Verdict
When choosing what type of tree to purchase, ultimately, whether you go for the fresh scent, tradition, and environmental benefits of a real tree or the practicality of an artificial one, the decision reflects what you cherish most about the season, and both options can bring holiday cheer to your home.
