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Every year, the day after Thanksgiving, our family packs up the car and heads to a Christmas tree farm. It’s become one of our most loved holiday traditions. We sip on homemade hot cocoa and wander through rows of evergreens, debating which one “feels like us.” And when we finally find it, just slightly imperfect, always a bit too tall, we watch as the staff wraps it, ties it to our car, and we take the journey back home.
Over the years, it’s made me think more about what it means to choose a real tree versus putting up an artificial one.
The Case for Real Christmas Trees
There’s a common idea that cutting down a tree for Christmas is bad for the environment, but the reality is more complicated. Most real Christmas trees are grown on farms and not taken from wild forests.
These farms operate on a cycle: for every tree that’s harvested, one to three more are planted in its place. Across the U.S., there are hundreds of millions of trees growing at any time, and only a small percentage are cut each year.
While they grow, these trees help the environment by absorbing carbon dioxide, producing oxygen, and providing habitat for wildlife. When the holidays are over, many communities offer recycling programs that turn trees into mulch or use them in conservation projects.
Real trees are also biodegradable, unlike artificial trees, which are made of plastic and metal. It’s part of a sustainable agricultural cycle.
So while your real Christmas tree may only stay up for a month, it’s part of a decades-long system that is actually fighting climate change.
Why People Choose Artificial Trees
It’s easy to see why fake trees are popular. They’re convenient, reusable, and don’t drop needles all over your floor. For families with allergies or limited mobility, a fake tree can be a practical option. And if you reuse it for many years (ideally five or more), the environmental impact starts to even out.
That said, fake trees are made from materials like PVC that aren’t great for the planet. Most fake trees are shipped from overseas, which adds to their carbon footprint. Producing and shipping them uses a lot of energy and resources. And unlike real trees, artificial ones can’t be composted or recycled when they’re no longer usable.
And when they eventually wear out, they end up in landfills.
My Experience with Real Trees
We love going to the farm, walking between rows of fir and pine, and choosing one together. Every year, my daughters get more opinionated about which tree we should bring home.
One wants the widest. The other wants the tallest. I like the one that fits into the house and smells amazing. And yes, it’s a bit more work from hauling it home and keeping it watered. But for us, the experience is worth it.
Which Option Is Better?
Both real and fake trees come with pros and cons. If you already have an artificial tree and plan to use it for many years, you’re making the most of it. But if you’re deciding between the two, a real tree, especially one from a local farm, is generally the more sustainable option.
Whichever route you take, the most important thing is to make it meaningful for your family.
