What Kind of Christmas Tree Is Best?

Has your family tradition been to pick a real tree or buy an artificial tree for Christmas? There are lots of questions regarding this famous Christmas tree debate on which Christmas tree is better. In this blog, we will explain the advantages and disadvantages of both kinds of trees and finally solve this debate. Let’s jump in and find out which kind of tree you should be decorating this year!

Real Tree VS Artificial Tree

Choosing a real tree comes with a variety of benefits such as having a fresh tree scent along with the feeling of wintry magic when picking out the “right one”. Although, most tend to associate a real tree with adding to the concerns of climate change and deforestation. On the other hand, when deciding on an artificial tree, they are simple to put up and last for a long time. But some have concerns regarding the PVC  and petroleum byproducts they are made from. Artificial trees can also be a fire hazard and when they are finished with, they are added to the landfill. So, which is the right choice?

The Final Decision: Real Trees

After examining all the pros and cons of each kind of tree, the final solution is to opt for a real tree this Christmas. Artificial trees lose the debate when considering factors like materials, transportation, and landfill dangers.

Materials

Majority of artificial trees are made and manufactured in China using harmful levels of chemicals and petroleum byproducts. They are also commonly unregulated and have been shown with traces of arsenic and leads at an unsafe level.

Transportation

Have you thought about the amount of traveling your artificial tree has to go through to get to a store near you? When the tree is transported from china to you, its transport-related carbon footprint becomes bigger than you would’ve imagined. The tree will experience shipment through all of planes, trains, cargo ships, and automobiles.

Landfill

After a few years pass and you decide it’s time for a new artificial tree, you throw your old one out. But, your old artificial tree actually just sits in the landfill for years and years to come. The material of the artificial trees is made from non-biodegradable and non-recyclable substances. The lead, petroleum byproducts, and arsenic just lay in the landfill and soak into the soil that lies under. This means that the soil overtime contaminates water systems which lead into the human food chain. As well, these substances have been proven to cause harm in child development, cause cancers, and damage immune functions.

Real Trees

The main concern when people think of real trees is deforestation. But you don’t need to be concerned about this. This is because fir and pine trees actually grow quick and are cared for by multiple tree farms that can be found close to cities. Tree farms have the main purpose to grow these types of trees for this type of use. Having a real tree limits the transport-related carbon footprint to a minimum. As well, with a real tree, you are given the option to recycle it at the end of the season. You can do this by chopping up the tree for firewood or recycle the tree to be used for mulch.

This Christmas season make the right decision for your Christmas tree and choose a real tree to have decorated in your home.