A classic staple of many Winter homes, the Christmas tree is a recognisable and almost necessary item for a jolly and festive time - but still, the question remains, which should be chosen, Real or Fake?
At first, the answer may seem obvious, when considering environmental factors, but there are actually a few different issues to consider.
Looking at fake trees, the clear issue is that they themselves are made from plastic, in China, and so on top of the production emissions, they have to be shipped in from far away. An artificial tree takes more energy to produce than a real one and is also not usually made from recyclable material, so it is likely to languish in a landfill for many years following its dumping. On the other hand, real trees can be bought locally (so there is no shipping consequences), as well as being able to replant or recycle them. Whilst the idea of cutting down trees doesn't seem environmentally friendly, a Christmas tree is like any other crop - they can be replaced once they are harvested. The most popular type, Nordmann Firs (along with other varieties) are also absorbing carbon from the air while they are growing - this is hugely important in the fight against emissions.
An upside to artificial trees, however, is that they can be reused through multiple years. One study has found that if a household reuses a plastic tree for up to five years, its carbon footprint will ultimately be smaller than a household that buys a real tree every year. If it so happens that you have already purchased an artificial tree, it would be beneficial to hang onto it and to make good use of it.
There may be some households that stand by their tradition of a real tree, and if that is the case, then there are a few things you need to consider before buying. It is important to consider just how far you are travelling to buy the tree, up to a certain extent, the distance of the journey can offset the emissions benefits you get from buying one. It is also important to think about recycling the tree so that it doesn't end up in a landfill; options for the tree can include reusing it as wood chippings or mulch - this can be achieved by contacting your local council, or your recycling centre to find out about nearby drop-off points. If the tree is kept inside a pot, it is possible to replant this tree (though this will take a lot of good care).
Overall, the environmental impact of both real and fake trees is relatively small in relation to your overall yearly carbon footprint, but there is an ethical and social argument to be weighed up too. When we are moving towards a greener economy, it is important to support indigenous industries - buying a plastic Christmas tree from China, that uses some of the dirtiest electricity found in the planet, as well as being shipped halfway around the world to then be resold to big retailers, is not really a very green and sustainable way of shopping. In lieu of this, buying a locally grown Christmas tree, and one that supports local jobs is so much better.
