How can you have Christmas without a tree? After all, it’s the focal point. This is what brightens the home with color and lights. It’s also where you put presents to open on Christmas day. However, you’ll need to decide if you want to buy a real tree or one that’s artificial.
Real Christmas Tree
Hands down, a real Christmas tree outshines one made of artificial materials. After all, they smell amazing and make homes special. If this is the kind of tree you want, you and the entire family can make buying it an adventure.
For example, when visiting a tree farm, you’ll take a hayride to the field. After cutting one down, you can enjoy cookies and hot chocolate while the seller packs the tree for transport. Especially if you have little ones, this makes a great family tradition while supporting a local business.
Here’s another reason to consider a real Christmas tree. They’re both environmentally friendly and recyclable. After the holiday, you can use the tree for compost. Even if it’s hauled away for a landfill, the tree is biodegradable. That’s what makes it eco-friendly.
One study shows that 33 million or 93% of all real Christmas trees go to recycling. With more than 4,000 programs around the country, you could have a recycling company take the tree off your hands after the holiday.
Christmas trees grow in soil that can’t sustain other crops. On top of that, a single real tree can absorb as much as one ton of CO2 while alive. So, 350 million plus trees growing at the same time provides the planet with exceptional benefits.
Along with all the positive reasons to choose a real Christmas tree, there are a few drawbacks. The needles make a mess. However, you can purchase a variety that’s a light shedder. Not only that, but they carry allergens, which could irritate someone in your home.
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Artificial Christmas Tree
Even if you want the real thing, at least consider the advantages of an artificial tree. Long term, they’re more cost-effective. For real trees, people need to buy or cut them down every year. In comparison, a quality artificial tree can last up to nine years. Also, you don’t need to water it.
However, artificial trees have disadvantages too. For instance, real trees are grown in the U.S., while roughly 83% of artificial trees come from China. So, you’re not supporting local businesses by purchasing an artificial tree.
It takes a tremendous amount of oil and fuel to ship artificial trees to America. That contributes to pollution. Also, most trees contain harmful chemicals such as Polyvinyl chloride. In addition, companies use other toxic substances during the manufacturing process.
With this information, you’ll have an easier time selecting the right Christmas tree for your family this year.
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