Real Christmas Trees vs Fake Christmas Trees
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 in the guestbook if you're for or against buying new or fake -- and why!
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 Trees1 point
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
"Real" Christmas Tree Photos
Some examples of (once) live Christmas trees...
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!
Fake Christmas Tree Photos
Some examples of artificial trees...
Not that there's anything wrong with that!
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!
Kanta Santa says:
i love real tree
Nha sach
Ve may bay
Posted January 21, 2012
daveframer says:
I like the artificial Christmas tree for its convenience, and that I don't have to go buy a new one every year.
Posted December 20, 2011
megabu717 says:
for me real, the smell of it makes them more green to me ;)
Posted December 20, 2011
JackieSonia says:
The real tree. You can't beat that. I love the smell and the feel of it. This year I had no choice but to have an artificial tree (my son's idea). it's okay, but I dearly miss the real thing. Next year, it will surely be the wonderful smell of pine in the living room with all the sticky pine needles all over the floor. A welcome sight (and smell)!!
Posted December 19, 2011
.,.,. says:
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................HI bAby
Posted December 15, 2011
CHRISTMAS HATER says:
I HATE CHRISTMAS because IM JEWISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted December 15, 2011
Santa Clause says:
HO HO HO! I say real because we have a real christmas tree up in the North Pole,I chopped and decorated it myself!
Posted December 15, 2011
Katey says:
Real trees are better than artificial trees! because you have the smeel of the tree going throughout the whole house
Posted December 14, 2011
Santa Claus says:
We have a real tree in the North Pole. I chopped it down myself and pulled it to my workshop to decorate. Ho! Ho! Ho!
Posted December 12, 2011
Barack Obama says:
Real Christmas trees are better. We have a real Christmas tree in the White House.
Posted December 12, 2011
Jesuslovesyou says:
Real Christmas trees are better environmentally, but fake are better money wise. I have a fake tree due to allergies.
Posted December 12, 2011
Gavin says:
Real Christmas trees are better because it fills the house with a good smell, when they are thrown out many are dumped onto sand dunes, increasing the dunes size and helps promote wildlife. I've had a fake Christmas tree for 7 years due to allergies in the house, and it saves a lot of money through the years. I think their both good.
Posted December 12, 2011
casquid says:
I, once had an artificial christmas tree that was 20 times prettier than any real trea. The aroma of a real tree is the best in the world, but my fake tree was so beautiful (and extravagantly expensive, too). I love them both. Can't make up my mind for this year, yet.
Posted December 06, 2011
BuddyBink says:
Real is the only way to go. After Christmas it can be used as a haven for the birds to get out of the weather and then recycled in the compost bin.
Posted December 03, 2011
aaa says:
yesss
Posted December 01, 2011
D.G says:
There's nothing better than a real tree, have had one every year and that will never change. Don't see the appeal of artificial tress they look cheap and tacky, nearly just as horrid as tinsel!
Posted December 01, 2011
COUNTRYLUTHIER says:
It saddens me to say my tree is el fakeo or el artificial. As kids we took an axe, yes that was long ago when responsible chidren could go into the wookd and chop down a Christmas tree and bring it home, without severing a limb in the process, but I digress. I think real is truly greener.
Posted November 30, 2011
No, the artificial trees are greener!
LoneMeadowLark says:
My son is allergic to practically everything. So it's the artificial tree for my family.
Posted December 15, 2011
POOP says:
POOP IS YUMMY IN MY MOUTH YUM!
Posted December 15, 2011
dakota king says:
i lovve christmas its full of love joy and you get to eat meals (sarcastic) wellchristmass is full of weird ppl and gay guys
Posted December 15, 2011
Osama BinLaden says:
In Pakistan we have fake For only $89.00 AL QUADEA!!
Posted December 15, 2011
jarome iginla says:
christmas is for losers like you b****
Posted December 15, 2011
harry potrer says:
i say christmas is full of hobknockers!
Posted December 15, 2011
awesom e me says:
isay i pooped my pants oh and by the way bah humbugg
Posted December 15, 2011
sydney crosby says:
i say fake cause you can store them away and use them next year
Posted December 15, 2011
sydney crosby says:
i vote fake cause you can store them away and use them again next year.
Posted December 15, 2011
Vx HaLo xV says:
I say fake trees because they wont light on fire as easy as real trees also they make less of a mess. Please Dont be haters towards my comment!
Posted December 15, 2011
noah says:
i say fake because real trees have oxygen and they make a big mess afterwards.
Posted December 15, 2011
Edutopia says:
Nothing beats a real tree for instantly pulling me back to my childhood and my fond memories of the season. However, nothing beats a fake tree for fitting in to my hectic schedule that can't dedicate enough time to dealing with a real tree these days. Practicality wins it this round.
Posted December 14, 2011
shellie says:
Fake is better for me,less mess,holds my ornaments better,cheaper b/c I don't have to pay to buy a new one every year..
Posted December 13, 2011
bam bam says:
Fake trees are greener you can you it over and over and over again instead of cutting down living trees which probably just get throw away after your new year start >=\ <\3
Posted December 12, 2011
Michelle Obama says:
I wish we had a fake tree in the White House. I'm allergic to real.
Posted December 12, 2011
kid123 says:
fake
Posted December 12, 2011
RawBill says:
Artificial trees are the way to go here in Australia as it is hot and the middle of summer at Christmas time. A real tree would not last. I have never known anyone to have a real tree in their house. Everyone has artificial trees that can be reused for many years. I have had mine for 12 years, my parents have had theirs for 38 years and my grandmother, well she has had hers even longer than that and it is still going strong! Leave the real trees out in nature where they belong.
Posted December 09, 2011
Eric says:
ar-ti-fi-cial!
Posted December 06, 2011
wordstock says:
We've had the most beautiful artificial tree for 20 some years. This year, we are looking at a live tree so I guess it's a mixture of both.
Posted December 05, 2011
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!).
Prevent a Few More Trees From Being Cut With Recycled Christmas Cards!
A great alternative to traditional holiday cards!
Recent Blog Posts on Fake Vs Real Christmas Trees
The debate rages on elsewhere!
- Claymont scores with Medieval-era program
- The outside of the castle was surrounded with trees made from fake Christmas tree branches and fake moss. Hardtack candy was melted to make a river for his moat. Joey Berndt's castle was outstanding. This large castle was made with styrofoam, plastic, ...
- Treetopia ™ Shares the Love on American Heart Month with Facebook Donation ...
- While couples around the world are spreading the romance on Valentine's day, a Christmas tree provider will be showing some love to the nation's hearts through a charitable Facebook program. Treetopia ?, a leading source of funky artificial Christmas ...
- Frontline: The Solution to the Artificial Christmas Tree Industry
- It is two weeks before Christmas and it is time to put up your tree! When you open the box holding your artificial tree, you realize that you face at least an hour, maybe even two, just figuring out how to take it out of the box.
- Should you choose an artificial or real Christmas tree?
- The first ISO-compliant, third-party peer reviewed Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) comparing the most common artificial Christmas tree to the most common real Christmas tree sold in the United States, found that the choice of either tree has a negligible ...
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.
Take a Look at Some of our Other Lenses!
Thanks for dropping by!
What Do You Use As Your Christmas Tree - Real or Fake?
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!
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Joanne
Dec 20, 2011 @ 12:19 pm | delete
- We knew people whose house burned down from a Christmas tree fire, I'll never have a real tree again.
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Isham101
Dec 20, 2011 @ 1:14 am | delete
- I guess the norm is to use a fake one for years. Anyway, great lens:)
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nsixx99
Dec 19, 2011 @ 10:11 pm | delete
- I like the real trees but unfortunately so does my dog, she likes to try an eat them so we have an artificial one.
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bam loves green
Dec 12, 2011 @ 11:11 pm | delete
- Fake fake fake ! Come on people cutting down things that help us survive isn't cool we all live on this earth and all should keep it running strong. How would you feel if some on cut down you home to use it for a decoration... Just be thoughtful and try and care =]
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revenue4u
Dec 11, 2011 @ 3:28 am | delete
- For many years we used real trees until we got a fake tree two years ago. Fake trees are just not the same, but they are less of a mess.
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wordstock
Dec 5, 2011 @ 8:41 am | delete
- We want to add a pine tree to our yard this year for the same reason that Chinajoy in the comments below mentioned. We want our grandson to remember Christmas, not so much for the gifts but what the season means to our family and a live tree will keep that alive.
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fugeecat
Dec 4, 2011 @ 10:54 pm | delete
- I have a fake tree only because its handy. But I really would rather have a real one.
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BuddyBink
Dec 3, 2011 @ 6:28 pm | delete
- Nicely done. I prefer the real thing and then recycle it in the Spring. Nothing beats a real Christmas tree.
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gonzalezdenise
Dec 3, 2011 @ 2:06 pm | delete
- You have such an inspiring lens. Thanks
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gonzalezdenise
Dec 3, 2011 @ 1:02 pm | delete
- Beautiful lens.
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sockii
Oct 27, 2011 @ 8:12 am | delete
- Great lens! I enjoy the debate and also the resources and ideas here for recycling and repurposing Christmas trees (real and fake).
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ErHawkns7100
Oct 23, 2011 @ 8:58 pm | delete
- I love real trees but I didn't like all the bugs that came with it.
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whoisbid
Sep 3, 2011 @ 2:51 am | delete
- Christmas will be in a few months. I probably won't be blogging at that time so a happy premature christmas wish to you my friend
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TIRMassageStone
Jun 28, 2011 @ 11:12 am | delete
- Don't know if fake trees are necessarily better for the environment, but I know they definitely save a lot of money if you keep using the same one year after year!
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Chinajoy
Dec 24, 2010 @ 8:40 pm | delete
- When my kids were growing up, we bought a real Christmas tree with the roots every year. Each year on New Year's Day we planted the tree. Now, the kids are adults and every once in a while I catch them looking at these trees and remembering each Christmas each one represents.
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