There is much confusion around what kinds of Christmas trees are really green, in the eco-friendly sense of the word. There are advantages and disadvantages to both real and artificial Christmas trees. Although most people love the smell of pine that can only be found in a real Christmas tree, they do make a mess, can be a fire hazard that there has been the belief that cutting down Christmas trees is not eco-friendly. Conversely although we have believed that artificial were more eco-friendly the reality is that they are not bio-degradable and end up in landfills. There is no right or wrong answer.

Advantages of Buying a Real Christmas Tree

•    Christmas trees are farmed and tree farms are good for the environment. Every acre of Christmas trees grown provides a day of oxygen for 18 people and supports a complex ecosystem.
•    Christmas tree recycling programs provide mulch for gardens and parks after which the mulch decomposes, providing the nutrients for plants.
•    When you buy a real Christmas tree you are supporting our local economy as opposed to artificial trees which are almost all manufactured offshore.
•    If you want the greenest tree possible grow one in a pot that will live year round. Bring it indoors during the holidays and then put it back outside.

Advantages of Buying an Artificial Christmas Tree

•    They don’t shed needles.
•    They don’t dry out and potentially become a fire hazard.
•    They can be used year after year and therefore can be very economical.

Image courtesy Flickr.com