Artificial or real christmas tree?

Is it better to cut down a real tree only to throw it away afterward, or to buy an artificial tree made of polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride that can last for more than one season? Contrary to appearances, the answer to the question of which is the more environmentally friendly choice is not as straightforward as it seems. Which tree guarantees a cleaner conscience this holiday season?

The long life of an artificial tree

A plastic tree has many practical advantages. It doesn’t shed needles, doesn’t require annual selection, purchase, or transport home, doesn’t need watering, and has a perfect shape. Advocates of artificial trees also emphasize that they are bought once for several or even many years, which sounds undeniably eco-friendly.

However, there is a downside. Artificial trees are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyethylene (PE), both of which are derived from the refining of crude oil. Their production involves significant emissions—PVC has a carbon footprint of 7.83 kg CO2-eq, while PE is 2.9 kg CO2-eq. Additionally, plastics are stabilized using heavy metals, making many artificial trees toxic, and nearly all eventually end up in landfills, where they will remain for hundreds of holiday seasons.

What’s worse, artificial trees are transported over long distances, as they are produced in places where manufacturing costs are lowest, such as China. Emissions associated with shipping significantly increase the carbon footprint of a plastic tree.

Is a cut tree an eco-friendly choice?

Unlike artificial trees, the cultivation of real spruces and firs absorbs carbon dioxide instead of producing it. The growth process takes about seven years, during which intensive photosynthesis binds carbon within the plant’s structure, helping to combat climate change. Admittedly, in the age of droughts, many plantations require irrigation, but heavy metals and other toxic substances are not a concern.

The biggest controversy surrounding the purchase of a real Christmas tree is, of course, cutting it down—it’s hard not to see this as deforestation. However, experts point out that the production of firs and spruces is so profitable that growers plant 1–3 new trees for every one cut down. In the United States, 30 million Christmas trees are cut annually for the holidays, while 350–500 million seedlings continue to grow. It could be said that the demand for real Christmas trees drives reforestation!

The end of a tree’s life is crucial

Purchasing a real tree for the holidays is therefore more beneficial from the planet and climate perspective. However, it’s essential to consider where you buy your tree and what you do with it after the holidays. Trees from local plantations are the most eco-friendly, as transport emissions are minimal, and the plants improve air quality in the region.

The final ecological balance comes after the decorations are removed. While all Christmas trees are technically biodegradable, those discarded in landfills emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas that exacerbates climate change. Burning trees is an even worse idea, as it releases all the carbon stored in the wood and needles into the atmosphere. So, what can you do? If you have a wood chipper, you can turn the branches into eco-friendly mulch for your garden beds. In many cities, local services handle this process. Additionally, dead trees are often collected by goat farms, where the animals eagerly feast on the coniferous treat.

If you still opt for an artificial tree, choose one made of polyethylene and use it for as long as possible. According to CNN, after 20 years of use, the carbon footprint of an artificial tree and a real tree starts to equalize!