A Debate on the Greenness of Fake Trees & Real Trees
Real Christmas Trees vs Fake Christmas Trees
Real Christmas trees have had a bad wrap for quite some time...but what goes around come around, and real Christmas trees are making a comeback! This doesn't mean you should toss away your old artificial tree. In fact, that's the last thing you should do!
It's hard to beat the convenience of buying a brand new cut Christmas tree for your home. It looks perfect and the smell fills the whole home. But with artificial trees, there's the benefit of not having to buy a tree every year, as well as lug it home or waste trees every year. What's your personal opinion on this controversial holiday issue? Tell us!
Links on the Great Debate of Christmas Trees
Find more information on Real vs Fake Christmas Trees!
- The Great Debate: Real vs Fake Christmas Trees
- What side are you on?
- Artificial vs Real Christmas Trees
- The pros and cons of fake/real Christmas trees.
- Fake Tree Facts
- Surprising facts about fake trees.
- Fake Trees Linked to Cancer?
- This article states concerns about artificial trees possibly cancer causing materials.
Is the artificial tree truly greener, or just a bunch of hype?
Fake vs Real Trees: The Argument Rages on!
Which side are you on?
Here are some links on real vs fake Christmas trees that give evidence to both sides of the argument.
Real vs Fake Christmas Trees
Real vs Fake Christmas Trees0 points
Christmas Trees - Real vs Fake Christmas Trees
Every Christmas you ask the same question: Is it b more...0 points
A Christmas Tree in the White House by Gary Hines
This book for children is based on true facts abou more...0 points
Artificial Christmas Tree Benefits
Article on the benefits of artificial Christmas tr more...0 points
To clarify things...
Cut Christmas Tree: A once living tree, cut and sold at Christmas tree lots everywhere. What we're all used to.
Live Christmas Trees: Still living trees, roots attached and all. Sometimes the roots are bundled, or the tree might be potted and ready to replant after Christmas.
Take our Poll About your Favorite Kind of Tree!
Vote for your favorite!
Now it's your turn to weigh in!
Tell us which side you're on...fake trees or real?
Real Christmas Trees
Some pros: the invigorating smell, the convenience of not having to store the tree, the renewable nature of real trees, the appearance.
Some cons: the huge amount of waste, difficulty in disposal, pesticides used on some trees, pine needles and sap, pets eating them
Artificial Trees
Pros: Reusable year after year, conveniently stored away, only pay for it once in a lifetime, most are flame retardant
Cons: Very difficult to recycle, hard to clean, the lack of scent, the appearance compared to real Christmas trees
Now tell us what you think!
Which type is truly greener: real or artificial Christmas trees?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byReal Christmas Trees are Greener!
AnnaleeBlysse says:
Real is best! At least the way that I do real. We have a small pine that is alive. Yes, ALIVE! We don't cut it down. We keep in in the house. We've had it for years. It might be too small to support typical decoration styles. But, we can wrap with with a few strands of lights and a handful of carefully place ornaments and tinsel and garland. I love my tree, and it lives year and year providing my home with lovely green life and oxygen.
Posted October 23, 2009
hlkljgk says:
we get our real tree from a local tree farm, so no travel energy wasted. we add some peanut butter and bird seed pine cones to it for the duration of winter. we burn it in our yard in the spring. the smell is exquisite and it lasts for months.
Posted October 08, 2009
norbridgeantiques says:
Real are greener. From the earth and back to the earth with no garbage. After we take the tree down at the beginning of January before the really deepfreeze, my husband cuts off the boughs and covers the roses to give them winter protection.
Posted February 15, 2009
CoolFoto says:
I love real trees. As a child we always had a cut real tree. Now I buy a 2 foot living tree from Harry and David and display it on a table.
Posted February 05, 2009
blue22d says:
A real tree would be best. Replant and it gives beauty and oxygen. However, the cost is probably the biggest factor. I have a small fiberoptics type tree and it works for me.
Posted January 23, 2009
Jack2205 says:
The best Christmas trees are real ones that can be replanted outside. There are too many artificial trees in landfills.
Posted January 07, 2009
JiltedCitizen says:
Real
Posted December 30, 2008
seegreen says:
How long does it take for a fake tree to break down? I prefer the real thing. Tree farms are sustainable and trees can be recycled as mulch. But in warmer climates they just don't last through the season.
Posted December 22, 2008
Spook says:
There is nothing like a real Xmas tree. However we have had an artificial one for the last 8 years.
Posted December 13, 2008
Jewelsofawe says:
I like real trees, but we had an artificial tree a few years ago until our dog peed on it and stained the white snow yellow.
Posted December 06, 2008
Tiddledeewinks says:
You can't beat a REAL tree for the smell and the hominess, but there are advantages to an artificial one, too! I'd have some of both if I had room. The real ones cost so much though, nowadays! A lot of the artificial ones look almost real and last longer.
Posted November 25, 2008
Tiddledeewinks says:
I love a REAL tree and the smell can't be beat, but it is so costly nowadays! An artificial one can look almost as real, and there are advantages. If I had room, I'd have some of both!
Posted November 25, 2008
ElizabethJeanAllen says:
We used an artificial one for years but when it finally fell apart, we went back to real trees. Once Christmas is over the community puts the trees collected through a shredder and the mulsh produced is used in the local parks and sold.
Posted November 23, 2008
Pastiche says:
Real Christmas trees are grown to be used as living ornaments for the holidays. If you have a yard you can buy a tree that can be planted after Christmas. If you use a cut tree, recycle it into a bird feeder and/or mulch and firewood. If you can't use the plant material in your garden, your community can chip up a "real" tree after the holidays to recycle into wood chips or compost. A "fake" tree is made from petro-chemicals and metals and paint that cause fumes and more than likely will become trash in a landfill after you decide to replace it.
Posted November 18, 2008
Evelyn_Saenz says:
The trees that we have always cut in back of our house actually let light in for the smaller trees to grow.
Our trees may not be full like the ones you buy on Christmas Tree lots but it's easier to see the decorations.
Posted November 16, 2008
rms says:
I like fake because there's less mess but I guess the real ones don't clog up the landfills. Great idea for a debate!
Posted November 14, 2008
TheGreenerMe says:
Despite the convenience of artificial trees, they just don't compare the real deal. We have an artificial tree that we use, but long for the days when we had a real tree. The scent and look just doesn't compare. Downsides that we've found with fake trees are cleaning it--it can get dusty and impossible to clean. As far as "greenness" goes, we're sticking with our old fake tree since we already purchased it. If we hadn't purchased it, we may have opted for live trees that could've been replanted. Cutting trees down, even they're replanted and farmed for the purpose, though fun, doesn't make much sense.
Posted November 13, 2008
No, the artificial trees are greener!
Pukeko says:
I prefer the artificial tree, as we have one and use it year after year. No waste, no killing trees, no wasting petrol to get the tree, no fuss, no mess.
Posted October 27, 2009
monarch13 says:
I am torn between the two, I have an artificial one, but I love the beauty of a real tree, however it is sad to see so many trees disposed of each year.. How about a Live Christmas Tree option?
Posted December 27, 2008
kab says:
I think the fake ones are greener, if you keep them a long time. Getting a new one every couple of years defeats the purpose.
Posted December 21, 2008
allinfoisfree says:
I don't know why, but I just like the fake,er I mean artificail trees better. Easier on the budget, in the long run, and just easier to manage.
Posted December 07, 2008
EuroSquid says:
I can argue both sides of this. I grew up with real trees. But my wife wanted an artificial tree, so we just bought one for this holiday. My feeling is that artificial is greener. It is a pity to chop down a tree for a few weeks and then throw it away. We will probably have this tree for years.
Posted December 06, 2008
dc64 says:
Love my artificial tree because I can use the same one year after year, put it up extra early, and not have to clean up pine needles.
Posted November 20, 2008
Michelle_Claire says:
Great Debate Subject!!
I like things to look just right. So, I got a fake one last year because I have high ceilings and couldn't find a good looking real one. The last time I had a real one, I had pine needles everywhere. Now, I don't have to worry about where the tree will come from. I am already ready to put it up. But you shouldn't rush christmas.
Posted November 14, 2008
Christmas Tree farms: good idea or bad?
Christmas Tree Poll!
What to do with your Old Cut Christmas Trees
Don't throw it curbside, recycle it!
Your old (formerly) live Christmas tree can be recycled in most areas. They'll turn it into mulch most likely (hopefully to help new trees grow!). Check these links to see where and when pickups might be for your area and what you can do with it!
- National Christmas Tree Association
- What to do and where to bring your old Christmas tree.
- New Yorkers Recycle Christmas Trees
- New Yorkers recycle their trees into mulch!
- Greenlivingideas.com
- Find multiple uses for your old Christmas tree like mulch and wreaths.
Something worth considering:
Live Christmas trees! Many places now sell living Christmas trees as tabletop trees, and in some cases, even large trees. These might be difficult to plant during the frigid frozen ground months, but will also stay alive if kept potted in a large container (and a green thumb!).
Real Live Tabletop Christmas Trees on Amazon!
A great alternative to giant Christmas trees in your living room!
Recent Blog Posts on Fake Vs Real Christmas Trees
Bad Idea: Throwing Away your Artificial Tree
Artificial trees contain plastic, metals, and non-biodegradable elements. They also aren't easily recycled. If you have a tree that you're thinking of recycling, the easiest way to recycle might be to repurpose it: donate it to someplace that will use it, like a local shelter, a school, or post an ad on Craigslist or Kijiji.
Christmas Trees: The History on Wikipedia
Category: File - :Christmas Tree.JPG|thumb|An indoor Christmas tree
The Christmas tree is a decorated artificial or living tree, a popular tradition associated with the celebration of Christmas. Normally an evergreen coniferous tree that is brought into a home or used in the open, a Christmas tree is decorated with Christmas lights and colourful ornaments during the days around Christmas. An angel or star is often placed at the top of the tree, representing the host of angels or the Star of Bethl...
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Guestbook
Remember to participate in the debate up above, too!
Have a green holiday season! And be sure to pass this debate along to anyone who you think might find it interesting!
Pukeko wrote...
Excellent debate and great presentation of both arguments. Blessed by a Squidoo angel.
Posted October 27, 2009
Snakesmum wrote...
Thanks for visiting my cat lens!
The best Christmas tree we ever had was a little spruce fir in a pot. It was used every year until it got to big to come inside, then it was planted in the garden, where it lived and grew happily for about 25 years!
Hate those Christmas trees that are just cut off branches - rather have an artificial one and save thousands of trees a year.
Jean
Posted April 05, 2009
CoolFoto wrote...
Interesting lens - found you in the Duel Group. 5* and lensroll to my Christmas lens www.squidoo.com/christmasunique
Posted February 05, 2009
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(Christmas 2009 is December 25, 2009)
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