Fake Christmas trees are becoming more and more common every year. More and more families are opting to forgo the hassle and expense of real ones. This increase in fake trees leads to a highly contentious argument: is fake better?
In 2018, 75% of families got a fake Christmas tree.
One benefit of using real trees is that they can be recycled and don’t end up in landfills like fake trees. During the several years it takes to grow them, they are helping the planet by filtering the air and providing a habitat for animals while also protecting watersheds.
A con to buying a real tree is that the Christmas tree industry produces massive amounts of carbon through the transportation of trees to other states. Luckily, Oregon is the biggest producer of noble and douglas fir trees, so getting real trees here in Oregon does not have nearly the carbon footprint that getting a real tree in Southern California would.
One artificial tree costs an average of $107 to buy, while real trees average out at $75 per tree.
While fake trees can be reused several years in a row and are easier to clean up, families only reuse fake trees for an average of seven years. After this, they are discarded in landfills where they remain for long periods of time.
“I like fake Christmas trees because they are easier to clean up and they have a good color. You can save it and use it for many years,” Camilo Hart ‘21 said.
There are also other practical reasons to get a fake tree. Someone might choose to get a fake Christmas tree over a real one due to allergies.
“Since I’m allergic, I like to get fake trees,” Evan Gonzalez ‘21 said. “We have one we keep in the attic and you can keep it and use it for a long time, even though a real tree is probably more authentic.”
Despite the practicality of fake trees, many feel that real trees create a more festive environment for the holiday season.
“I like real Christmas trees because they are more festive than a fake tree. I have gotten a real tree ever since I was little,” Elias Hunter ‘21 said. “They make the holiday feel more authentic.”
There are 15,000 Christmas tree farms across the US, employing over 100,000 people.
Furthermore, real Christmas trees are often tied to a family tradition. Going out to pick a tree from a farm is more sentimental to many people than buying a plastic one.
“I like getting real trees because it’s always fun finding the perfect tree to put up in the house,” Cheyenne Brown ‘21 said.
There are many reasons why a family would opt to use a real tree over a fake one and vice versa. The truth is, there is no right answer to this question, and one must decide what is best for their own family.
