Should you Have a Live or Artificial Christmas Tree in your Home?

Entry #347, December 3, 2010

Depending on your lifestyle, home size, and family traditions, the debate over real and artificial Christmas trees has probably been going on for a long time. While some feel that real trees are being sacrificed unnecessarily and others feel artificial trees are not “Christmasy” enough, and don’t represent the holiday in true form.

While I’m originally from Colorado, the act of not buying a real Christmas tree would stick a dagger in my heart.. therefore, every year we have a real tree. On the other hand, my relatives enjoy having the luxury of pulling out their tree from last year, and dusting it off!

On the Home Depot blog, the debate continues with a more important fact relating to the environment has been brought up: Do fresh cut trees help or hurt the environment? Read on to see some important information that you may not have known before about live Christmas trees.

Artificial or live, which do you prefer?

As everyone is starting to get ready for the holidays, the debate often comes up:  Is a fresh-cut Christmas tree better than an artificial tree or vice versa?

Everyone has a different opinion on this and both are beautiful ways to celebrate the season.  But one does have an environmental edge over the other!

It’s easy to think that when a tree is cut down the environment is affected negatively and logically that’s a bad thing.  However, the decorative Christmas tree that you place in your home throughout the holiday season has a very positive effect on the environment.

The environment is supported by Christmas trees from the moment they are planted until they are recycled.

• Christmas trees produce oxygen to support life.  Trees absorb excessive carbon dioxide and other harmful gases in order to produce oxygen.  One acre of planted Christmas trees supports 18 people with oxygen.
• The farms across the country that grow our Christmas trees stabilize soil, protect water supplies, and provide a refuge for wildlife. In addition, Christmas tree soil is reusable.  One or two more Christmas trees can be replanted in that soil.
• Christmas trees are recyclable!  Branches and trunks are biodegradable and can be made as mulch for your garden.  If a Christmas tree is placed in the backyard, it can be used as an effective bird feeder or shelter for wild animals during the winter.  In addition, large quantities make effective barriers on beaches to prevent soil erosion.  Lastly, if a Christmas tree is sunken into a pond, it can make a great refuge or feeding area for fish.

For more Christmas Tree ideas on Stagetecture, click here.