Using One Artificial Tree for Years Deemed More ‘Green’ Than Buying Fresh Trees Every Year
The famous Christmas tree, with its ornaments, lights, a star on top (and perhaps presents underneath), signals the joyous festivities associated with the holiday season. In preparation for the upcoming celebrations, below are some facts on real and artificial Christmas trees.
According to the US Department of Agriculture, the US cut more than 14.5 million Christmas trees in 2022, with an additional 3 million imported.
There are about 16,000 tree farms across all 50 states, where trees typically grow for seven years in the field.
According to Michigan State University, real Christmas trees typically include the fir, pine, and spruce varieties. For example, the Fraser fir, blue spruce, and Scots pine have stiff branches suitable for hanging ornaments.
Real Christmas trees can be reused or recycled through methods such as curbside pick-up, yard waste, mulching, nonprofit pickup, planting it in one’s yard, and soil erosion barriers.
Artificial Christmas trees typically include the PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or PE (polyethylene) variety. PVC trees have PVC needles made to look like real pine trees, while PE trees are made from plastic injected into molds.
The PVC and PE make artificial Christmas trees unrecyclable and they end up in a landfill. However, artificial Christmas trees can be reused, sold, or given to others over many years.
A 2017 life cycle assessment by the American Christmas Tree Association found that, after myriad costs were calculated for about five years, using an artificial tree was more environmentally friendly than purchasing multiple real trees.
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