It’s the most wonderful time of the year when countless families deck the halls and put up the Christmas tree. The Christmas tree is the focal point for many traditions and celebrations throughout the holiday season.
Whether you cherish the process of choosing a real tree or setting up an artificial tree, it raises an interesting question: which is better for the environment? There are many claims and common misconceptions in this debate. Consumers are becoming more climate-conscious, and determining which Christmas tree has the lowest environmental impact has become a serious consideration for many.
Environmental Impact of Artificial Trees
A USA Today article estimates that Americans purchase about 10 million artificial trees each Christmas. With the cost of real trees continuing to rise, many American households are opting to switch to artificial trees.
Most artificial trees sold in the United States are manufactured in China and imported. The trees are usually manufactured in factories that have fewer environmental regulations than there might be in the United States.
Artificial trees are typically manufactured using steel and plastic, a petroleum-based material. Many trees also use polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which has been linked to many health and environmental risks.
From the factory, most artificial trees are loaded onto fossil-fuel-burning freight ships for the long journey to the US. Once they land in America, the trees must be distributed to retailers all over the country by truck, train, or air.
Surprisingly, some experts say the carbon emissions associated with transporting artificial trees are less significant than the emissions from manufacturing them.
The environmental impact doesn’t end once you bring it into your home. Artificial trees aren’t recyclable or biodegradable. Therefore, no matter how long your artificial tree lasts, it will end up in a landfill.
Overall, by some estimates, the carbon footprint of an artificial tree is about 88 lbs of CO2 when you factor in manufacturing, transportation, and disposal at the end of its lifespan.
Can artificial trees be an earth-friendly choice?
So far, nothing about artificial trees sounds very environmentally friendly. However, in certain situations, they can be the more earth-friendly choice.
A 2018 study analyzing natural vs. artificial Christmas trees based on different environmental metrics, including global warming potential, primary energy demand, water usage, and other factors. The conclusion was that artificial trees have a slight advantage if they are used for at least five years before discarding them. However, an older study in 2009 found that artificial trees would only be the more environmentally friendly choice if used for 20 years or longer.
The good news is a Nielsen survey found that about half of artificial tree owners expect to use their fake trees for at least 10 years.
Environmental Impact of Real Christmas Trees
At first glance, the environmental impact of cutting down tens of millions of trees each Christmas season surely amounts to an ecological nightmare. Plus, we must consider the water, pesticides, and fertilizer required to grow all those trees.
Additionally, harvesting real trees and shipping them from farms to stores or tree lots can produce a lot of carbon emissions.
After Christmas, trees pile up on curbs all over the country for collection and disposal. Countless trees wind up in landfills where they release methane, a greenhouse gas more damaging than carbon dioxide. Alternatively, some people (or localities) burn their Christmas trees, which is also an environmentally-damaging choice.
Environmental benefits of real Christmas trees
Despite having some marks against them, real Christmas trees can be very earth-friendly.
While artificial trees are responsible for many greenhouse gasses during manufacturing and transportation, real trees actually take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Since it takes about seven years for a Christmas tree to grow to about 6 feet, one study suggests that growing Christmas trees might trap and contain nearly a ton of carbon dioxide per acre.
Many Christmas tree farms take advantage of hillsides and other areas that aren’t suitable for farming other crops. This practice helps improve water quality, prevents erosion, and preserves green spaces. As the trees mature, they create valuable wildlife habitats.
Real trees can have value after the holidays, too! New York City, Washington DC, and many other cities have municipal programs that turn discarded Christmas trees into mulch. Other regions use dead Christmas trees to prevent erosion or sink them in ponds and lakes to create habitats for fish and other marine wildlife.
Which Is More Earth-Friendly: Real or Fake Christmas Trees?
As you can see, the answer is not as “cut and dry” as you might think. Really, it comes down to a few key factors:
- How long did you use your artificial tree before discarding it?
- Whether you purchase your real tree from a local (or regional) farm?
- How do you discard your real tree?
If you reuse your artificial tree for at least 10 years, then it becomes an environmentally friendly choice.
If you decide to buy a real tree, ensure your choice is earth-friendly by purchasing from a nearby farm to reduce carbon emissions during transportation. Give your tree a “second life” (as mulch, an underwater feature, etc.) after the holidays rather than sending it to the landfill. You can also consider donating to your local zoo! Many zoos accept Christmas trees which are offered as animal enrichment toys to their residents. If you live in El Paso, Texas you can reach out to us at 915-212-0245 to schedule a drop off or visit our website to learn more about who we are and what we do: https://elpasozoosociety.org
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Works Cited
https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/25/us/real-or-artificial-christmas-tree-climate
https://www.greenmatters.com/p/real-vs-fake-christmas-trees
https://onetreeplanted.org/blogs/stories/real-vs-artificial-christmas-trees
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/26/business/energy-environment/fake-christmas-tree-vs-real-tree.html
