The holidays are getting closer and closer now that we’re into December, and many of us are finally putting up a Christmas tree, if we haven’t already. This tradition can look very different from one home to another. Some prefer to go out and bring home a real tree every year. While others climb into the attic and pull out their trusty artificial tree. In either case, you have the opportunity to find all kinds of files Festive ways to decorate the Christmas tree.
But, there are some major differences when it comes to real versus fake Christmas trees. Most of us will be beings of habits and stick to what we know, but have you ever stopped to consider whether an alternative would be a better option? Here, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each type of tree and help you decide which is the best for your home during the holidays.
Pros of a real Christmas tree
1. More… Real – First of all, if you are getting a real Christmas tree, it will give you a real experience. There is more to it than you think; The fresh pine scent, the spiky feel of the branches, and the woody core all contribute to this. Essentially, even the best synthetic alternatives cannot achieve the same experience.
Some artificial trees look very realistic, but the festive mood of a real Christmas tree cannot be copied.
2. More fun – Some may challenge that, but the idea of stepping out into the cold and picking your own Christmas tree is a treasured tradition for some. This can be as much a part of holiday celebrations as opening presents on Christmas Day, and there is almost a sense of accomplishment when you are able to get them home and ready to decorate.
Some even go so far as to cut down their own Christmas tree, to add more effort to the task. Although you may need a permit to do so and safety precautions should be taken.
3. greener – It is often debated which of the two types of trees is more sustainable. There are arguments either way, but in general, real trees come to the fore. This is because real trees are planted, harvested, and then planted again, much like crops, so there is no apparent harm to the environment at this point. They also release precious oxygen and deplete carbon dioxide levels in the meantime, too.
If discarded at the end of the season, real trees are also biodegradable and can be composted to fertilize your garden. In comparison, artificial trees are not recyclable and will only add to landfills when they are finally disposed of. Then there are the manufacturing and shipping consequences to consider. Of course, if you keep using your artificial tree year after year, you will get rid of the environmental impact, but you can also reuse a real Christmas tree with a little effort to get a better result. We see How to grow a Christmas tree for instructions on how to do this.
4. No assembly required – While artificial trees have improved in design over the years, there is usually still some assembly required. Whether your tree is segmented, or each branch needs to be tied off individually (I can still remember color-coding this when I was a little girl), it can be a frustrating process that doesn’t feel particularly festive. Plus, you can come out of it covered in scratches.
You will not get this experience with a real Christmas tree. It comes complete and ready to display – no need to bend branches, unscrew or look for gaps.
5. You don’t need to store it all year long – This is a bigger nuisance than you know if you’ve never had an artificial tree before. First, it’s always a nightmare to put a fake tree back in its trunk; I’ve split open boxes in the past and had to find workarounds. Then you need to drag said box back into storage and prepare to leave it there for the next 11 months.
If you have limited storage space, this can be very annoying. Especially since full-sized trees require a tall, bulky trunk. I myself have considered getting rid of my artificial tree year after year for this reason, but I just can’t bring myself to do so. You can save that space with a real tree, even if you reuse it.
Fake Christmas tree pros
1. Less mess – Real Christmas trees drop pine needles like anything, especially during decoration and while they’re moving. Artificial trees do not have this problem.
The occasional plastic needle may fall out, but not as much as you would get from a real tree. You won’t accidentally drip soil or water onto your artificial tree gifts.
2. Suffer less – While you need to put together a fake tree to some degree, generally less effort is required. You don’t need to get out of the house and pull it off again. There’s also no need to water and maintain, and you don’t need to dump it once you’re done. So if you prefer to stay warm and don’t like getting your hands dirty, the synthetic method is definitely best.
3. Safer for pets – If you have any exotic pets running around, artificial trees are the safer option versus real trees, at least in general. This is because dogs and cats alike may tend to drink excess water from the pot, which can contain chemicals and pesticides. Needles from fir or pine trees can also upset the stomach if ingested and can cause internal damage.
This is not to say that there is no risk when it comes to artificial Christmas trees. Plastic needles can still fall out as mentioned earlier, and you don’t want your pets gobbling them up either. Clean up any loose needles when you spot them with the best vacuum cleaners and always supervise your pet around your tree. There is a risk of the tree falling too, so keep it stable and weighted.
4. Less fire hazard – If your real Christmas tree dries out, there is a risk of fire, especially as the string lights heat the branches. This is less likely to happen with artificial trees because they are usually made of fire retardant materials.
Always leave the string lights off when the tree is unattended and keep it away from any potential heat sources, such as a stove or radiator.
5. Not good for the tree itself – If you care what the tree actually goes through, you may be more inclined to turn to the artificial. Christmas trees are grown outside and, as such, prefer an outdoor climate. Your tree will struggle to survive the heat once you’ve potted it and brought it indoors. That’s why we actually recommend keeping live trees indoors for as little time as possible if you want to reuse them.
If you intend to use a real Christmas tree year after year, for guidance, you should only bring it indoors the weekend before Christmas, and keep it for a maximum of 10 days before putting it outdoors again. Any longer than that and your tree is unlikely to survive and will need to be mulched.
6. More customization options – Naturally (or unnaturally) artificial trees give you plenty of options when it comes to looks and décor. You can choose a snowy tree, one with pine cones growing on every other branch, or even a funky color, like black or pink, to give it a little more personality. You can have more than one style of tree if you want to switch them up every year, too.
Which is better: a real Christmas tree or a fake one?
Given the above, there isn’t much in it. It ultimately comes down to your choices, preferences, and values. Price-wise, the value you’ll get from your Christmas tree depends on whether you’re going to reuse it and for how many years, real or fake. So the two cannot be fairly compared in this sense. But, basically, the more you reuse, the more you save.
If you want lower maintenance during the holidays, and are happy sticking with the same tree year after year, artificial might be best. But, if you care about the environment and can’t put a price on tradition, a real tree might be all you want.
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