Is your tree real or fake?

For years and years our tree has been fake.  My thinking? I buy a tree once, and I keep it and reuse it for years. So here are some pro's and con's for both to give you something to think about this year as you get your own tree up (if you do that sort of thing).







Fake Tree Pro's


1. One tree lasts for years, potentially up to 10 years or more.
2. Saves on carbon foot print from having to shop around for a tree each year.
3. If you kept said tree for 10 years, it could save you up to $300 dollars over the life of that tree.  Savings come from buying a new tree each year and the gas it costs to buy it.
4. These trees are maintenance free, no watering required.  (is that obvious?) ;)
5. Convenient.  Most artificial trees now a days come pre-lit, so no dancing around the tree stringing up lights.

Fake Tree Con's


1.  Most trees are made of petroleum based plastics, and may contain PVC, lead or other dangerous metals.
2.  Most artificial trees sold in America were made in China.
3. These factories use more energy and create more pollution to produce artificial trees then their natural counterparts.
4. Plastic artificial trees are not biodegradable and may end up sitting in landfills for hundreds of years.

Real Tree Pro's


1. Christmas Trees come from Christmas Tree farms, not forests so there is no need to worry about deforestation.
2. Tree farms provide a natural habitat for animals.
3. One acre of Christmas trees produces enough oxygen for 18 people.  With over 1 million acres in production just in the United States that provides enough oxygen for over 18 million people every day.  There's some green.
4. Christmas tree farms stabilize soil, protect water supplies and provide refuge for wildlife while creating scenic green belts. Often, Christmas trees are grown on soils that could not support other crops.
5. Christmas Trees can be recycled into mulch for your yard. Find out more about Treecycling.
6. Every state in the entire United States has Christmas Tree farms.  That makes it very likely that yours didn't travel far, unlike it's artificial counterparts that likely came from Asia.
7. Buying real Christmas Trees supports the local economy.

Real Tree Con's


1. Having to buy a new one every year.
2. They require upkeep, and must be watered daily to make sure they don't dry out and become flammable.
3. Any pesticides or herbicides used to grow the trees creates pollution.


So what kind of Christmas Tree will you put up this year?

Sources:
1. Artificial Christmas Tree
2. Mom going Green
3. Real Christmas Trees