Live or Fake Debate..

I've gotten lots of questions lately about whether it's a greener choice to buy a live or fake Christmas tree.   People seem torn between the two.   On one hand, a live tree is made from a renewable resource and can easily be recycled; but it's cutting down a tree that took years to grow.     On the other hand, a fake tree can be reused year after year, but it's made from petroleum-based materials and was probably shipped from overseas.

The verdict?

Choose a live tree.    Believe it or not, I lived on a Christmas tree farm for three years of my life.    Even though I didn’t work on the farm, I did learn more about evergreen trees than any person should ever really know.     The greenest choice when it comes to real vs. fake is choose a live tree.     You see, these farms are using land that’s unsuitable for most crops, except hardy trees.  So they’re saving land from development.   Plus the trees provide habitat for wildlife and help combat global warming while looking all so charming and idyllic.  And unlike a fake tree which is made from petroleum based materials and shipped from overseas, these trees are renewable and easily recyclable.    And for those of you say fake trees can last forever, I ask this: if that really is the case, then why do they keep making artificial trees?   If they really, truly did last forever, they still wouldn't be making them.   

Above is a photo from the Dec/January issue of Country Home magazine that I did a few years ago.    It has two examples of even GREENER ways to decorate a tree: a burlaped balled tree that can be replanted (so it's left decorated on the front porch of my old home) and one that is decorated right in the field with oranges, apples, pears and a garland of frozen grapes.

Comments

[gina]

thank you danny for posting this. we always get a real tree. i am happy to have you confirm our decision. thank you!!!!

[Rosie]

I totally agree about the trees. We always get a live tree from a tree farm, actually the "Windy Pines Tree Farm." It is a cool place to go, and cut your own tree, I am sure they are all over the place. I live in Michigan and we have tree farms everywhere.

If people would do the research, the number of PVC trees that come in every year from China is staggering. It takes my breath away to think of the chemicals used to make all those trees, and then the fuel to ship them here.

And we have one of those stand-straight stands that make it a breeze to put up. So on that day when we get our tree, we take our dog and go out to the tree farm and just do it. They have hot chocolate too, and dog biscuits, and also hay rides.

[Nadine]

This timing of this post was perfect. I buy a live tree every year, but I debated buying a fake after the holidays when they're marked down. I think we'll stick to the live trees. Maybe we might even try a potted tree. :)

[Missy Lee]

I just came across your blog. Where in the world have I been? (Mmm, in school) I remember seeing you on tv long ago as a teen and thinking how cool and inspiring it was that a young guy was out there making a difference in the world. It's great to know you're still out there making an amazing difference. Love the blog, love your work. Thanks :)

[Sakurasaku]

Thank you for your perspective on this issue. We always get a live tree and I just love the way it smells, so it would have been difficult for me to switch to an artificial tree. Although I knew that the live trees had been grown on tree farms and got composted by our municipality after the holidays, I was never 100% sure if it was environmentally the right choice. You have put my mind to ease.

[gina]

Ah...I knew it. Makes complete sense. Your explanation helped tremendously! Keep going!

[Jessica]

A used artificial tree is, however, very earth-friendly! I saw one just yesterday at a thrift store.

[sandi @ the whistlestop cafe]

You answered my question! I have one of each~ it is all about balance isn't it?

[TACE]

I too always wondered about which was the *greener* choice. I grew up in the country and we always had a *real* tree for Christmas. However nice the scent was though, I was always disappointed by how quickly a real tree dries up (despite lots of watering and a fresh cut) and becomes a fire hazard or eye hazard (as removing the ornaments with dried needles pinging off the branches left and right is freaky)
I like to decorate early and leave my decorations up till after the holidays are over so for us a fake tree was the better choice. After we moved to the city We invested in a really nice real looking artificial tree with the idea being this should be the last tree we'd need to buy. Also, city programs to pick up trees for recycling after Christmas only work if you get your tree down by the dates they designate for picking up. Two years in a row we missed and ended up with a hassle. For us, the fake tree is fine.

[Teeny]

I've always had a fake Christmas tree. Last year, I finally asked my parents why we never had a live tree and they told me it's because I'm highly allergic to them. I had no idea! Doesn't look like a live Christmas tree is even an option for me.

[Emily]

I really advocate the ball trees. I grew up with the fakes (I got the hand-me-down from my folks) and the occasional cut live tree. My husband, however, grew up doing the ball trees, and all around his parent's home you can see years of Christmas memories. Better for the environment, and a nice tradition too.

[dee]

We just bought a second hand artificial tree from Craigslist, the first fake tree I've every bought. I decided on fake but second hand, since we have to fly our trees in refridgerated containers from Oregon to Hawaii. I want to assume its a better choice, anyone out there know if buying a fake vs. flying in a real tree from the Mainland (or shipping oversea)is better?

[E.]

The reason we opted for fake (which we've had for years) is not because we'd be "cutting down a live tree," but because of the petroleum-based fertilizers and pesticides most tree farms use on the trees.

Hey, we're not freaks. We'd even be willing to have a tree like this in our home. They're pretty good about washing off residue. But the ecologically costly impact these practices have on soil and water is huge.

Having said that, if you're fortunate enough to live in mid-to-northern California, there are some low-earth-impact and non-sprayed options available at higher costs.

E.

[The Go Green Blog]

Another alternative, one of the best for the planet, is to celebrate with a living tree. This is a live tree that is potted in a planter for the holiday and then later transfer to the earth. All the holiday cheer with no guilt.

[Ellen Bell]

Live versus fake is such an age-old debate... No matter which way you go, I'm just glad to see that people care enough about the environment to debate the issue in the first place. Cheers to all of us that we are taking the time to be responsible, eco-conscious citizens of this earth.

Danny, maybe you should do a post with some interesting ideas about what to do with old/worn out/broken artificial Christmas trees? There have got to be some unique ways to reuse or recycle them. Maybe you could make wreaths or something out of them? Could be an interesting topic.