Real or Artificial Christmas Trees? – Which Benefits The Environment

Setting up an embellished Christmas tree is one of the major aspects of Xmas. But a real environmental concern has been prevailing for quite a while now. People seem to be worried about taking down the “real” trees just to set them up for Christmas. According to Wikipedia, around 50 million Christmas trees are sold in Europe per year.

They argue that chopping down the trees every year in bulk would disrupt the natural ecosystem. This is not true.

Conversely, arguments in favour of using natural Christmas trees are prominent as well. People who assert using the real trees for Christmas support their stance from the perspective of sustainability. They also claim that the natural trees are reusable as compost or fertilizer, which eventually balances the ecosystem.

So, what should be your preference amid all this confusion? Let us furnish some benefits & limitations of real and fake Christmas trees to help you make the ideal decision.

Artificial Christmas Trees

A fake Christmas tree, as evident from its name, is an artificially developed Christmas tree. The purpose behind this concept is to diminish the increasing percentage of chopped-down trees. Yet, there are some other concerns as well. Let’s have a look at how the pros and cons of the artificial Christmas trees fare against each other:

Drawbacks of Artificial Trees

• There is a general assumption that using artificial trees can curtail the impact of cutting the trees down for Christmas. Yet, the studies have suggested otherwise.
• There’s considerable evidence to claim that artificial trees can have a relatively severe impact on the environment, owing to the non reusable and potentially pollutant PVC raw material used in them.
• Aside from its non-recyclable nature, PVC emits chlorides and carcinogens that worsen the already increasing air pollution.
• Studies have concluded that one artificial tree with 6.5ft of height emits around 40kg of greenhouse gases (mainly CO2 and Methane). To your surprise, it is 10 times more than that of a natural Christmas tree of the same dimensions, when you burn it after use.
• Fake trees incorporate lead needles that are potentially a hazard to your respiratory system, especially when you’re vacuuming the trees. Additionally, your kidneys, stomach, and lungs are equally threatened by the invisible shreds of lead in the air.
• Fake trees consume considerable time, effort, and energy to manufacture, transport, assemble, and then set up.

Benefits of Artificial Trees

• Easy to set up and put away.
• The artificial tree won’t contain any bugs or pets since it is composed of PVC or artificial materials. 
• Fake trees are the least messy and least effort. 

Real Christmas Trees

As an individual who sticks to the existing tradition, you’re readily convinced to employ the natural trees for Christmas. Yet, there are only a few reasons not to buy real trees. Have a look at their drawbacks:

Drawbacks of Real Trees

• Not every other tree can be used as the famous Christmas tree. They’re essentially the “conifers” involving pines, spruces, blue spruces, hemlocks, cypresses, cedars, and firs.
• Studies claim that 50-60million trees are annually chopped down in Europe alone! However, the chopped trees are immediately replaced by a similar sapling. So, efforts are being made to enhance its sustainability.
• Using the real trees for Christmas can be a major hassle for you as you have to visit the tree farm in person and grab the one that suits you the best. However, if you have young ones in the family, going out to buy a Christmas tree from the farm can be a great source of fun and enjoyment. So, it all depends on one’s preference.
• You have to purchase every year.

Benefits of Real Trees

• Real Christmas trees are recyclable and reusable to a great extent. Once they’re replanted after use, they continue to absorb carbon from the atmosphere.
• In most regions around the world, measures are being taken by Christmas tree farms to plant a tree immediately as the existing grown tree is cut down.
• Real Christmas trees are far from harmful PVC materials and lead needles. Additionally, they have an incredibly refreshing smell.
• Natural trees are far more inexpensive as compared to artificial trees. Furthermore, the increasing use of artificial trees might threaten those countless individuals who have their entire earnings relied on planting, growing, harvesting, and providing trees for Christmas.
• Evergreen fir have a history of been used to celebrate Christmas. But they have become a popular family tradition for a long time. Using them would keep the originality of the festival intact.

Conclusion

A specific section of society might argue that artificial trees are an alternative to natural trees, but that’s incorrect and far from fact. Artificial trees are a source of massive greenhouse gas emissions for the earth’s atmosphere. Therefore, they can never be deemed environmentally friendly.

Conversely, the real Christmas trees still, by all means, are nature friendly. Chopping down the trees doesn’t affect the ecosystem as they get replaced. Likewise, growing a fully dedicated Christmas tree farm enhances the earth’s capability to absorb carbon dioxide and release maximum oxygen in the atmosphere. Visit Cork Christmas Trees Farm this festive season and see how it all works while you purchase your tree.