Now is the time of year we as families start to decorate the Christmas tree.  This is the true beginning of the

Christmas Tree

 Christmas season in my book.  But do you go out and buy a real tree every year that may cost a pretty penny if you add it up, or do you put up the fake Christmas tree every year?  It may seem by that last statement that it would make sense to buy a fake tree because of cost.  However, based on my research, fake trees may be worse for the environment.

What are fake trees made of?  Fake trees are made primarily of polyvinyl chloride aka PVC.  PVC is claimed to be one of the most environmentally offensive forms of non-renewable, petroleum-derived plastic.  Another thing that I have never heard before today is that there is a potential for lead poisoning; enough so, that California required a Proposition 65 warning label.  Richard Maas, the director of the Environmental Studies, tested a small sample of artificial trees, about one-fourth of which contained high levels of lead.  Fake trees also contain a fireproof chemical, that when burned, can create a toxic mix of hydrogen chloride gas and dioxin.  Also, about 85% of fake trees are actually manufactured in China.  That also contributes quite a bunch of CO2 emissions to pollute our atmosphere.  Last disadvantage is that there is no real way to keep your cats out of them and having to reassemble them every day.

So this must mean that real trees are the way to go, right?  Well, not necessarily.  Real trees also pose health risks because for 8 years before these trees are harvested they use pesticides to keep the bugs away.  They also have to be trucked in from somewhere.  Unless you go out and cut down a locally grown tree, you are contributing to CO2 pollution.  Also, if the city doesn’t have a recycling program, these trees add to the already overwhelmed landfills and also contribute to polluting of ground water. 

There are a couple of options that haven’t been mentioned yet.  The best way to enjoy a Christmas tree is to buy a live tree with its roots intact from a local grower, and then replant it in your yard once the holiday has passed.  Another, simpler option would be is to purchase a real organic tree.  However, I am not sure this will be an option for many communities. 

I think that either option may be the more environmentally friendly based on the variables in your life.  For us, I think that the negatives outweigh the positives for the fake tree.  I will probably choose to purchase a live tree every year, because it makes the home smell so good, the cats don’t climb real trees, and our city does recycle and compost real trees.  Let us know in the comments area below whether you have a real or fake tree and why.

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