Real vs. Fake: The Eco-Friendly Christmas Tree Debate

As a kid, every thanksgiving break we would trek up to the attic and drag down the bulky cardboard boxes full of Christmas tree parts. Then, like legos, we would insert the color coded branches into the right hole. Inevitably some of the branches would lose their paint and we would have to guess - typically resulting in a lopsided tree. Hey, our last name is Griswold, what do you expect.

As I grew into my own family, I began to think about the environmental impacts of that tree. Yeah, that scrappy tree lasted 30 some years, but still that’s alot of plastic to dispose of. So, my kids and I began getting our own tree, sometimes cutting one down in the forest and sometimes going to a tree lot. I personally am not a fan of tree lots because they precut trees they might not sell, which is a waste.

I even rented a live tree one year and returned it. If you have a big yard you can also buy a live tree and plant it that year - a fun family activity.

If you are facing the dilemma to choose a live or artificial Christmas tree, let’s take a look.

The most recent U.S. analysis of the issue is from 2018, when a life cycle assessment — measuring the environmental impact of real and fake trees over the course of production to disposal — was published. It concluded that artificial trees have a more favorable effect on the environment if reused for at least five years. But that’s only part of the story.

Regardless of whether your tree is real or fake, you can lessen the impact its decorations have on the environment by reusing ornaments year after year and using LED lights rather than incandescent lights. LED lights are more costly than incandescents, but they can last up to 25 times as long and use between 75% and 80% less energy

The Case for the Real Christmas Tree

Real Christmas trees are grown on farms, much like any other crop. As trees are harvested, new ones are planted to replace them, ensuring a sustainable cycle.

While growing, Christmas trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate climate change. Christmas trees take around 10-12 years to grow to the most popular size of 6 feet. During that time, they provide a habitat for wildlife and capture carbon from the atmosphere.

Tree farms provide essential habitat for various wildlife species, including birds, small mammals, and insects. In some cases, the biodiversity of animals living in Christmas tree plantations is even higher than what you might find in adjacent open grassland or dense forest habitats, especially for threatened and endangered species that only live in young forests.

Christmas tree farms become havens for various species of birds, including robins, sparrows, and finches, which find shelter and nesting sites among the branches. The dense foliage of the trees offers protection from predators and a conducive environment for breeding for deer, owls, and bears. That’s why you should also take care to inspect your tree and make sure you are buying from a wildlife friendly tree farm.

Support tree farms that use organic practices, follow Integrated Pest Management principles that minimize the use of pesticides and practice water conservation. Ask your retailer for these details before purchasing a tree.

After the holiday season, real trees can be recycled into mulch, compost, or even used for erosion control to restore the environment and provide habitat.

Production

While some farms use chemical fertilizers and pesticides, many opt for organic practices that minimize environmental harm. Growing trees requires water, but efficient irrigation techniques can reduce water consumption.

The carbon footprint of transporting trees depends on the distance they travel. Buying locally sourced trees can significantly reduce this impact.

When these natural trees are harvested for sale, there are more than ten times as many left standing! Out of the 350-500 million growing on tree farms across the U.S., only 30 million trees are harvested for Christmas each year.

Disposal

Many communities offer Christmas tree recycling programs, where trees are chipped and used for mulch or compost. Our boyscouts troop helps collect trees so they get mulched and return to the earth.

You can even extend the Christmas joy by re-using your tree as a home for bugs and birds in your garden.

If not recycled, discarded trees can end up in landfills, contributing to waste.

Pro tip: Do not flock your tree! Once you do that it’s nearly worse than a fake tree and cannot be recycled.

The Case for the Artificial Christmas Tree

An artificial tree can last for many years, reducing the need for annual tree cutting and disposal. Artificial trees are often easier to set up and store than real trees. While real trees can pose a fire hazard if not properly cared for, artificial trees are typically fire-resistant.

Production

The production of artificial trees requires the extraction of raw materials, such as plastic and metal. The manufacturing process involves energy-intensive steps, including plastic molding, metalworking, and assembly. Fake trees are made primarily from metal and polyvinyl chloride, and producing these materials causes greenhouse gases and other pollutants to be released into the environment. 

Artificial trees are often manufactured overseas and shipped long distances, increasing their carbon footprint. In the U.S., around 10 million artificial trees are purchased each season. Nearly 90% of them are shipped across the world from China.

Disposal

Artificial trees are not biodegradable and often end up in landfills, where they can persist for centuries. While some components of artificial trees may be recyclable, the process can be complex and often impractical.