Environmental Debate - Real Versus Artificial Christmas Trees
What you need to know to make an eco-friendly choice this Christmas season. Did you know that an acre of Christmas Trees produces the daily oxygen for 18 people?
As the holiday season draws near, many families engage in an all too familiar debate: Buy a real tree, or buy an artificial one? There are benefits and drawbacks to both choices.
There is no question that nothing can replace the cozy holiday ambience of a real tree. Real trees have a unique look and a delightful pine scent that no artificial tree could ever hope to imitate. There is also something special about bundling up and going shopping for the perfect real tree. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, real trees are environmentally friendly. They are usually grown on Christmas tree farms located throughout the United States and Canada. Each time a tree is harvested, new seedlings are planted. Used trees are, of course, completely biodegradable.
As anyone who has ever had a real tree in his or her home can tell you, however, there are some drawbacks to having a real Christmas tree. First, the pine needles shed like a long-haired cat in summer. While the tree is up, expect to have your vacuum out at least every other day. Real trees also require watering and daily monitoring to ensure that the tree is not getting too dry. This leads to the conclusion that real trees are lovely to look at and environmentally friendly, but they require a lot of work.
Artificial trees, while being more convenient than real trees, do require a fair amount of storage space each year. They also require assembly that can be time consuming. Artificial trees are significantly more expensive than real trees, especially those that are more realistic looking. The pros of artificial trees are that they last much longer than real trees, they don’t require any maintenance, they are more economical because you don’t have to pay for them every year, and there are many different types to choose from.
Ultimately, when it comes right down to it, it is up to the individual to decide whether a real tree is better than an artificial tree or vice versa. There are many pros and cons to take into consideration before purchasing either one. In the end, what matters is that you are happy with the tree that you chose, regardless of what your reasons were for choosing it.
Quick Tree Facts
- There are approximately 30-40 million Real Christmas Trees sold in Canada and the U.S. every year.
- An estimated 175,000 Real Christmas Trees are sold via e-commerce or catalogue and shipped mail-order.
- North American Real Christmas Trees are grown in all 50 states and Canada. Eighty-five percent (85%) of artificial trees sold in the U.S. are manufactured in China.
- Real Trees are a renewable, recyclable resource. Artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics and possible metal toxins such as lead.
- For every Real Christmas Tree harvested, up to 3 seedlings are planted in its place the following spring.
- There are about 550,000 acres in production for growing Christmas Trees in Canada and the U.S. Each acre provides the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people.
- There are about 22,100 Christmas Tree growers in Canada and the U.S., and over 100,000 people employed full or part-time in the industry.
- It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of average retail sale height (6 - 7 feet) or as little as 4 years, but the average growing time is 7 years.