Pros and Cons of a Live Christmas Tree

It’s that time of the season again, and you might be wondering: should I bother with a live Christmas tree? And if you’re more of a utilitarian type, how about no Christmas tree? 

Long associated with tradition, the woodsy, piney scent of the needles of a live tree are a testament to a certain authenticity that fake trees are never able to replicate. However, they’re also costlier, and like most good things in life, temporary. As with most debates, there are pros and cons to every side, along with a few nuances that require a deeper dive.  

In the end, it seems cliché to say, but it does really come down to preferences: some people prefer a live Christmas Tree, while others are content with an artificial one. 

Benefits to a Live Christmas Tree

People who buy live Christmas trees tend to cling to the emotional and sentimental aspects of tradition and togetherness brought about by the holiday season. Environmentally, they’re not as harmful as previously thought. The trees are grown on tree farms, often on soil that is unfit for other crops. They’re also recyclable, eventually decomposing and returning to the environment as organic matter. 

• Authentic: The timeless appeal of a live Christmas tree boils down to an old-fashioned sense of nostalgia, conjuring a bygone landscape of glittering fairytale lights and pale virgin snow dusting the chimneys. For them, the ‘realness’ of the tree and the joy of decorating it make it worthwhile, so if you’re somebody who values experiences, then a real Christmas tree might be for you. 
• Sustainable: While some opine that there’s no reason to chop down a live tree, they discount the fact that the process of growing them is actually a sustainable practice when considering a holistic analysis. Out of the 33 million sold, a staggering 93% are recycled. With over 350 million trees planted, the amount of CO2 they absorb is considerable, playing a crucial role in carbon sequestration.   
• Fresh scent: Another important reason why people choose live Christmas trees is for their scent – the balsam fir is renowned for its fragrance. It’s calming and soothing, instantly evoking a festive atmosphere.   
• Boosts biodiversity: A surprisingly overlooked aspect is that tree plantations can boost wildlife biodiversity, including that of threatened native species. For example, a 2022 study in Germany found that these farms could serve as a refuge for declining species of farmland birds. 

 

Cons of a Live Christmas Tree 

With consumerism on the rise and so many focusing on the material aspect of Christmas, namely expensive gifts, the intangible representation of a live Christmas tree has eroded. For many, a fake tree does the trick. Those who prefer live trees are clearly in the minority – only 24% of people plan on buying a live tree, compared to 46% of people who are opting for an artificial one. 

• More expensive: On average, live Christmas trees cost 80 – 100 dollars, with larger, higher quality ones costing upwards of hundreds of dollars. Fake trees generally cost around $40, which is half as expensive, and they can be used for 7 – 9 years. 
• Transportation Costs: Depending on where you live, a live Christmas tree may travel hundreds of miles before they reach their destination. Factor in carbon emissions and fertilizer runoff, and it’s clear that there’s a price associated with live trees. However, live trees are generally better for the environment because they are 100% recyclable, unlike plastic, with no toxic afterlife.  
• Hassle to Clean: Christmas trees can shed massive amounts that can be a hassle to clean, which are expounded when dealing with children or pets. You’ll need to water regularly to prevent the needles from falling off. And on top of that, the dry timber can pose a fire risk, killing the festive spirit in the blink of an eye. Although fires are rare, when they do arise, they’re prone to be deadly and dangerous. 
• Limited Availability: Not everyone lives near a tree farm, nor may they be willing to take time off to select a tree (it’s certainly not the most exhilarating thing in the world). Moving millions of trees hundreds of miles harms the environment, though it pales in comparison to offshore logistics related to plastic tree production. 

Pros and Cons of an Artificial Christmas Tree 

Fake Christmas trees have an obvious advantage: they don’t shed, pose a fire hazard, and are less of a hassle. While evaluating the life cycle of a real tree versus a fake one, however, it turns out that artificial ones may not be as environmentally friendly as they seem. The most glaring issue is that fake trees are doomed to end up in landfills, where they can take centuries to decompose, releasing toxic chemicals and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. 

Artificial Trees Pros: 

• More affordable in the long-term 
• Less of a mess 
• Easy to set up 
• No watering requirements 

Artificial Trees Cons: 

• May contain harmful chemicals including metal and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) – long targeted for its dangerous manufacturing process, which produces carcinogens associated with cancer 
• Majority are made from China, involving long-distance shipping that contribute to substantial carbon emissions and fuel pollution 
• Can appear tacky or garish, an ersatz imitation 
• Languishes in landfills for centuries 

Alternatives to Christmas Trees

If you’re wanting to skip a Christmas tree altogether, there’s still several alternatives available in keeping with the yuletide spirit of the season. There’s a wide assortment of Christmas plants that deliver on the holiday aesthetic. For example, a potted Norfolk Island pine is a low maintenance gesture to the holiday season that resembles a Christmas tree, but on a smaller scale.