The big question...
Real Christmas trees may be better for the environment, but, you may be asking, aren’t artificial or fake Christmas trees a better option?
No, just because they are re-used year after year, it does not mean that they are more sustainable. This is due to the typical rules of sustainability not applying when it comes to the humble Christmas tree.
The Christmas tree debate on real vs. artificial (and which benefits the environment more), has been ongoing for decades. The debate is not helped by the fact that artificial Christmas trees can last many years, if they're well cared for.
With this Blog, we take a deep-dive into why real Christmas trees are better for the environment.
Christmas tree farms help to produce oxygen and sequester carbon
The general consensus among plant experts is that, from a carbon lifecycle standpoint, the amount of oxygen released from the trees - compared to the relatively low amount of energy it takes to produce them - makes real trees more sustainable than artificial trees. Through photosynthesising, the trees take carbon out of the atmosphere, combine it with water, and then release clean, breathable oxygen.
Christmas trees are also a renewable agricultural crop - for every tree that is harvested, growers typically replant at least one seedling, sometimes more.
Sustainable tree farms will grow and cut in phases, leaving certain sections open for harvesting each year and keeping others closed to give space for younger trees to grow. The typical Christmas tree is then grown for 7 – 10 years before it is harvested, and during that time it is sequestering carbon and releasing oxygen.
Another plus to buying a real Christmas tree? Purchasing at a Christmas tree farm will bolster the local economy.
Artificial tree production has a high carbon footprint
While real Christmas trees provide environmental benefits during their planting and growth, the greenhouse gases emitted during the production of artificial trees - most of which are made of plastic and metal - actively contribute to global warming. The production of one artificial Christmas tree results in about 88 pounds of carbon dioxide, an output 10 times higher than that of any sustainably grown real Christmas tree.
An artificial tree must be kept for at least 10 years in order for it to have the same carbon utilisation impact as purchasing a real Christmas tree each year!
Real trees are recyclable and biodegradable
A distinct advantage that real trees have over their fake counterparts is that they are recyclable. Some tree farms even make the trees available in pots or balled in burlap so that they can be replanted at the end of the season, averting the need to recycle altogether.
Many villages, towns and cities across the UK have Christmas tree recycling programs in which the trees are chipped and turned to mulch. The mulch is then put to environmental uses.
On the other hand, once an artificial tree hits a landfill, it could take thousands of years - or more - to break down, adding even more pollutants to landfills and oceans.
How to care for your real Christmas tree
Once you get your tree home, saw half an inch off the trunk. This will rid your tree of any hardened sap and make sure that it can absorb lots of water to stay fresh and green throughout the festivities. (If you don't have the tools available at home, ask your Christmas tree seller).
Water is key to keeping your tree alive throughout the festive season. Make sure you choose a sturdy stand that can hold a good amount of liquid. Your Christmas tree needs to be kept in water at all times, so finding a base with a good well that you can access is important.
Check your tree’s water source every day, they can be very thirsty and drink upwards of two to three pints a day. Also make sure that the trunk is nicely submerged, to maintain healthy needles.
To minimise the shock of the tree’s relocation, place it a good distance from your radiator/heat source. Constant heat or fluctuating temperatures can dry your tree out very quickly and if you're planning to put your tree up around now, it's vital that you keep it away from direct heat.
Carl Dodd, Property Revolutions Ltd.
