As Christmas approaches, it’s time to make a decision about your Christmas tree. Will you have a real Christmas tree or an artificial Christmas tree? There are good reasons for each and it is up to you to determine which one is best for your family.
Real Christmas trees are more environmentally friendly than artificial Christmas trees. These days, Christmas Trees come from Christmas tree farms and are grown specifically for use at the holiday. The Christmas trees cut each year are replanted and often more Christmas trees are planted than are cut. After the holidays, a real Christmas tree can be recycled into mulch. Many communities have pick up or drop off recycling so your Christmas tree can be chopped up and reused. You may be able to purchase a Christmas tree that has been grown locally instead of one that has been trucked across the country for an even more environmentally friendly choice.
Real Christmas trees do have a downside. Christmas tree farms must use pesticides to keep the Christmas trees growing which may harm the ground water and the environment. You may bring some of these pesticides into o your home on a real Christmas tree. A real Christmas tree also creates more work as you must water the Christmas tree and sweep up needles regularly. A dry Christmas tree may pose a fire hazard. Cost wise, real Christmas trees are 70% more expensive than artificial Christmas trees so being environmentally friendly may be a real drain on your budget.
Artificial Christmas trees offer an alternative to real Christmas trees and in some families an artificial Christmas tree is a tradition. Today’s artificial Christmas trees are very attractive and realistic. Artificial Christmas trees are manufactured to last up to 20 years making your one time investment in the purchase of an artificial Christmas tree go a long way. Artificial Christmas trees to not trigger allergies like real Christmas trees which may be important in families with allergies or asthma.
Artificial Christmas trees are easy to assemble and to maintain. No watering and no needle clean up are needed with an Artificial Christmas tree. Artificial Christmas Trees are made of polyvinyl chloride. This is a petroleum based product that is not renewable. PVC may emit carcinogens that could be a health risk in your home. Lead may be used as a stabilizer in PVC. This also poses health risks to your family and children. Makers of artificial Christmas trees state that the chemicals used in artificial Christmas trees are at safe levels and are the same as many other products already found in your home.
Artificial Christmas trees are often shipped from overseas, making transportation costs and the environmental impact of shipping a Christmas tree half way around the world a consideration. The environmental impact of shipping a real Christmas tree a shorter distance every single year however could be comparable.
Whether real or artificial, for many people a Christmas tree is an important holiday tradition. Consider the alternatives and enjoy your holiday.
