It’s the most wonderful (wasteful) time, of the yearrrrrrr…..

Seriously. 

Tis the season, for us to produce waste. According to one source, our global carbon footprint is 6% higher during the holiday season than the rest of the year, so it makes sense that those of us trying to sustainably live with less would want to look at every piece of the holiday puzzle. 

And one of those pieces often includes the Christmas tree. 

One super common question asked this time of year is: ‘are real Christmas trees bad for the environment”? Or, “what is better: real vs fake Christmas tree”? Some version of those. 

It’s one that people seem to pick a side and fight hard to the death in defense of it. But, like all things in the eco-minimalist realm, the answer to the question is, well, nuanced. 

Let’s take a look. 

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How are real Christmas trees grown?

In order to determine whether real Christmas trees are bad for the environment or not, we need to take a look at how they’re grown. 

Here’s a quick look at the typical, average, Christmas tree lifecycle:

• seeds are collected and planted in nurseries 
• the seeds turn into seedlings, grown and protected using pesticides (more on that in a bit) or using organic methods
• once the seedlings are at least 12”, they’re transplanted onto tree farms (very, very similar to regular agricultural farms)
• they spend 7-12 years growing on the tree farm until harvested (“tending” varies during lifecycle and depending on farm – some are treated like a typical farm crop – watered, fertilized, etc, while others leave it all to nature)
• harvest includes often being cut down using chainsaws (for those that are shipped to big box stores), or hand cut using chainsaws or saws in smaller operations or pick-your-own
• at large tree farms, helicopters are used to move the trees onto trucks to avoid damaging branches or getting dirty
• trees are transported to be sold
• trees are then transported to homes, businesses, or other displays
• after Christmas, trees are either sent to the landfill, chipped/mulched, left outside, or composted

And the cycle repeats. 

I hope that this quick rundown of a real Christmas tree lifecycle shows the nuances to the “are real Christmas trees bad for the environment” question. I mean, helicopters? 

How are artificial trees made?

Now that we’ve looked at how real Christmas trees are grown, let’s look at how artificial trees are made. 

Here is a look at the lifecycle of an artificial tree:

• the “trunk” and branches of the tree are made – usually out of steel, and covered in a polyester powder spray; a material stronger than paint
• the pieces are welded together to create a type of “tree skeleton”
• tiny strips of PVC plastic are made to create the “needles” (more on PVC plastic in a bit)
• factory machines put together all the pieces 
• white latex paint is used to create the “faux snow” or “frosted” look 
• the finished tree is then packaged and prepared for transportation
• the vast majority of artificial trees are made in China, so transportation is usually lengthy
• trees are then delivered to stores
• once purchased, trees are transported to homes, businesses, and other display areas
•  after the owner is finished with the tree, it goes to the landfill. None of the parts of the tree are able to be recycled

(If you’d like to see a video of the process, you can do so here.) 

Related: A Minimalist and Zero Waste Advent Calendar (with 58 Kindness, Traditions, and Activity-Based, Non-Candy Ideas)

Real vs fake Christmas trees (and their environmental impact)

Now that we’ve looked at how real Christmas trees and artificial ones are made, is the answer to “are real Christmas trees bad for the environment” clear? Clear as mud, maybe?

To really answer the question, we need to look at the pros and cons of real and artificial Christmas trees, because contrary to what some believe, both options have good and negative components. 

Pros and cons of real Christmas trees – are they bad for the environment? 

Here are some of the pros in favor of real Christmas trees and the environment:

• Carbon: trees capture carbon which means that Christmas trees, even on farms, capture carbon as they grow. In fact, out of the 350-500 million growing on tree farms across the U.S., only 30 million trees are harvested for Christmas each year (source)
   
• Habitat: trees provide habitat and food for wildlife
  
• Soil: trees help to protect soil, and help prevent erosion. In fact, according to Bert Cregg, an expert in Christmas tree production and forestry at Michigan State University, many species used for Christmas trees grow best on rolling hills that are often unsuitable for other crops (source)
  
• Economy: many tree farms are small, local operations. About 15,000 farms grow Christmas trees in the US alone, employing over 100,000 people either full or part-time in the industry, according to the National Christmas Tree Association
  
• Reuse: after Christmas, a real tree can be upcycled (use boughs for decor, leave out for wildlife habitat, compost for soil)
  
• Land: 63% of Christmas trees come from just six states: California, Florida, Michigan, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Texas (source). Sizable Christmas tree farms help prevent land from being developed (source)
  
• Species: While some farms use pesticides to deter insect damage, once-exotic European species  that are known to be pest resistant are also often selected and grown. Two of those species are Nordmann and Turkish firs; they hold up against certain fungi and bugs. (source)

Here are some of the cons against real Christmas trees and the environment:

• Landfill: many Christmas trees end up in the landfill, where they slowly decompose and release methane. In fact, a 6.5ft tall real tree could result in a carbon footprint of 16kg CO2 if it ends up in landfill because the tree decomposes and produces methane gas – which is 25 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than CO2. (source)
  
• Pesticides: like many other agricultural crops, many tree farms use pesticides, although how much varies by farm. Many use integrated pest management – which means they use pesticides and herbicides, but only when absolutely needed (source). However, one source claims that 270,000 pounds of pesticides are sprayed on Christmas trees in the main six growing states each year. Roundup (which contains chemicals that  the World Health Organization classifies as “probably carcinogenic to humans”)  is also used in some cases to help seedlings become established by removing competing species, and to keep walkways between tree rows free of weeds (source)
  
  Additionally, “Lynn Wunderlich, a farm advisor from the University of California Cooperative Extension in California’s central Sierras, says while there are many farms who grow Christmas trees in a more sustainable fashion, oftentimes consumers complain about the trees having sticky residue from aphids”, which increases the need for farmers to use pesticides (source).
  
• Maintenance: real Christmas trees are messy – they lose needles, and often need consistent watering (or at least checking for water)
  
• Unwanted: live trees can bring in mold and/or bugs
  
• Fire: live trees can be a huge fire hazard. According to the United States Fire Administration, over 2,600 people are injured due to fires during the holiday season, costing over $930 million in damages. Additionally, tree-related fires have higher fatality rates than other types of house fires.
   
• Water: Of the six main states that grow 63% of trees (see above), three are in areas experiencing regular drought. Christmas trees “use more water than a vineyard but less water than a tree fruit—and much less than almonds” (source)
  
• Transportation: In Christmas tree production, fuel use is the largest cause of greenhouse gas emissions. A tractor or delivery truck releases 20 – 22 lbs (9 -10 kg) of carbon dioxide with every 1 gallon of gas or diesel used (source). Not to mention the fuel of the helicopters (if used)
  
• Air: some sources mention that live trees can help improve air quality – similar to how houseplants do so
  

Pros and cons of fake/artificial Christmas trees – are they bad for the environment?

Here are some of the pros in favor of artificial Christmas trees:

• Allergy: artificial trees can provide a great alternative for those allergic to pine, or the mold that real Christmas trees can carry
  
• Accessibility: it’s easier for some populations to store a smaller, artificial tree that they can put up each year vs. having to go out and bring one home
  
• Reuse: once the life of the tree itself is over, some parts may be able to be reused can for decor (branches as boughs) or other projects.
  
• Donate: if you need to pass along an artificial tree to someone else to use, assuming it’s in good condition, you can!
  
• Mess: there is much less mess associated with artificial trees
  
• Water: you don’t have to worry about keeping track of watering the tree – a little less mental clutter
  
• Fire: the fire component is a pro and a con. A pro because artificial trees carry much less of a fire risk than live trees do

Here are some of the cons against artificial Christmas trees:

• Use: artificial Christmas tree owners need to use the same tree for ideally 10-ish years in order for it to counteract the negative environmental impacts (the average person uses an artificial tree for six-years only source)
  
• Materials: as mentioned above, artificial trees are often made with PVC plastic (petroleum based) – often called one of the most toxic types of plastic. According to the Carbon Trust organization,  about 66% of the emissions from manufacturing any type of plastic trees comes from the carbon-intensive oil used to make them, and around 25% of emissions come from the overall manufacturing process (source)
  
• Recycling: because of the materials used in manufacturing, artificial trees cannot be recycled
  
• Transportation: most artificial Christmas tree factories are based in China – meaning the trees have a huge transportation footprint. In the U.S., around 10 million artificial trees are purchased each season. Nearly 90 percent of them are shipped across the world from China, resulting in an increase of carbon emissions and resources. (source)
  
• Storage: you do need to have a place to store the Christmas tree after Christmas is over
  
• Fire: the fire component is a pro and a con. A con because artificial trees often have a fire-resistant coating applied to reduce that fire risk, which some people try to avoid
  

Related: 10 ways to graciously tell someone: ‘no gifts, please’ (with actual examples, wording, and alternatives)

So, what is the most environmentally friendly Christmas tree, and are real Christmas trees bad for the environment?

Ok – time to answer the question: are real Christmas trees bad for the environment?

The answer to this question comes down to what I call the ‘sustainable dilemma’ – meaning – what values are more important to you? 

Let me explain. 

The clear answer seems to be that real Christmas trees are better for the environment than artificial trees. 

But remember what I said at the beginning of the post? It’s nuanced. 

For example, when it comes to live trees, a report from environmental consultant group Ellipos suggests that if you have to travel more than 10 miles to get your tree you might be better off with an artificial one you can purchase closer to home (source). 

But then there’s the fact that according to The Carbon Trust, an artificial tree just 6.5 feet (2 meters) in height creates around 88 lbs (40 kg) CO2e–that’s over twice the amount of a real Christmas tree, even accounting for methane production if it ends up in a landfill  (source). 

So here’s the TL;DR:

The most sustainable option would be a real Christmas tree, purchased from a local tree farm (closer to your house the better) that is FSC Certified and practices organic agricultural methods. This assumes that you also will be composting/mulching the tree after the holidays (or leaving it out in your yard to break down). 

The next option would be to obtain a permit from the United States Forest Service to cut down a tree in your area. While this may seem counterintuitive, research shows that “using” a forest is the best way to maintain it’s health. Often, trees get bunched together and by removing a select few (hence the permits), it helps sustain the ecosystem. Again, mulching and composting after the holidays is important. 

If you prefer or can only use an artificial tree, secondhand is best (ideally from a local source). Luckily, secondhand artificial trees are not in short supply. Be prepared (with your best intentions) to use the tree for many years. 

If your only option is to buy a new, artificial tree from the store, buy one that is of good quality, and have a plan to use it for at least 10 years. Additionally, create a tentative plan in place on what you can do with it once you’re ready to pass it along. The longer it can stay out of a landfill the better!

Related: Over 30 places to find eco-friendly Christmas and holiday cards

Moving ahead 

Now that we’ve answered the age-old question of “are real Christmas trees bad for the environment”, and settled the artificial vs real tree debate, what does this mean moving forward?

Making the eco-friendly swaps you can make is never a bad thing. However, it’s important to not let the great tree divide shift focus on some of the other activities that have potentially larger impacts on the environment, like, consumerism. 

Other Christmas tree options that are “less bad” for the environment

Looking to go the non-traditional Christmas tree route? There are some other Christmas tree options that can be a fun and unique addition to your holiday decor. 

Alternative Christmas tree options:

• DIY: if you’re a Pinterest fan, the world is your oyster. There are so many awesome and fun ideas for alternative, minimalist Christmas trees out there, all you have to do is look! One of my favorites is the tree made out of books, or the ladder option, or, any of the ones that you put on the wall, or….
  
• Potted tree option #1: some garden centers sell live, small, potted pine trees. This could be a great eco-minimalist selection because, after the holidays, you can take down the ornaments and lights (if using) and have a nice potted tree. Norfolk island pine is a great option.
  
• Potted tree option #2: another option is to have a small pine tree in a pot that is used indoors during the winter. Once the weather gets warm enough, you can plant the tree in your yard to enjoy. Then, in the fall, repeat the process!
  
• Rent a tree: yep, it’s a thing! There are some companies that will do the whole potted tree option #2, except they will plant the tree (often larger in size) on their own land during the non-holiday season. The locations that offer this is still somewhat limited, but worth a check. Simply Ecosia/Google ‘Christmas tree for rent” and see what comes up.
  

Eco-friendly Christmas tree decor

This is more of a “don’t forget” these options, vs. a thoroughly researched section, but it’s worth mentioning. 

As you need to replace items you already own for your Christmas tree, consider looking for more eco-friendly Christmas decor options. 

Here are some quick things to consider: 

• LED bulbs: LED bulbs are more eco-friendly than traditional bulbs because they require way less energy and last a lot longer! Don’t forget to recycle your old light strings once you’re done with them
  
• Ornaments: assuming your tree isn’t full of ornaments you made as a kid that your parents saved (or your own kid’s work), if you’re looking for ornaments, secondhand is a great way to shop
  
• DIY: if you’re feeling creative, you can upcycle items and make some fun ornaments
  
• Natural: don’t forget about natural decor – pine boughs, pinecones, candles you already own (obviously not on the tree), dried orange slices, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, etc

My personal choice; conclusion

Throughout this whole post, I’ve purposefully NOT mentioned if my family and I are team artificial or team real Christmas. I grew up with artificial trees my whole life. Once I met my husband, I discovered he had an allergy to the mold that real Christmas pine trees carry. So, that pretty much settled that!

When my husband and I first moved in together, we bought the cutest little four foot tree (that I still love). This will be our seventh year using it, so we’re on our way to that magical 10 year mark. Once we are in the market for a new one, we’ll look secondhand.

If you are looking for more ways to “green” your holidays, check out my holly, jolly, zero waste Christmas post here.