Xmas Tree Throwdown: Real vs. Fake

Christmas trees are fickle ornaments. Everyone has their own personal preference about how it needs to appear and how it should be presented. I grew up with artificial trees because my mom was a neat-freak and didn't want to pick up pine needles. So my girlfriend wasn't particularly happy with our first Christmas tree, as it was the incumbent 4-feet-tall, artificial tree from my days as a bachelor. I purchased a tree that I'd be familiar with. Eventually we moved on to a real tree, but it took some time for me to get over my festive tradition of fighting squirrels to the get Christmas tree box down from the attic.

People just like to keep traditions traditional, and there is nothing wrong with celebrating the holiday season with nostalgic customs of the past. It's simply a matter of comfort and feeling at home. It also depends on the individual--I'm a bit more indifferent to Christmas than most. Therefore, it was much easier for me to let go of my tree traditions than my more Christmas infatuated better-half.

So even minor changes to traditions can ruffle people's feathers. And when you add-in some buzz words like "genetic engineering" and "sustainability," people suddenly get very protective about a plant that's been harvested specifically so they can kill it. See, the environmental effects of Christmas trees are still a topic of much debate. On the surface, the widespread timber of Christmas trees for holiday vanity seems ecological irresponsible, but some organizations maintain that any effects are negligible or perhaps even positive.

In 2009 Montreal-based Ellipsos, an environmental consulting firm, determined that (at least in south Quebec) an artificial tree would need to be used for 20 years before qualifying as a more sustainable alternative to the real thing. Each region has different variables that determine what type of tree is more efficient. Take California for example, where tree crops have been severely inhibited by several years of drought, and the "thousands of gallons of water" it takes to raise a Christmas tree could be used for more critical applications.

First, artificial trees are predominantly manufactured in China, as coal-powered electricity and few manufacturing regulations makes it likely each tree has a significant carbon footprint. Fake tree production often includes PVC, a well-noted carcinogen. Few artificial trees have lifespans beyond ten years, and old trees end up in landfills.

Conversely, real trees are easily disposed of and have many uses beyond decorating. Many trees are turned into compost, and municipalities will also use them in civil projects to prevent beach and shore erosion. These trees are principally Douglas fir and Fraser fir trees in North America, and are harvested after five years of cultivation. These trees are often grown on underutilized acreage that isn't suitable for other crops. Real trees have a significantly lower carbon foot print: a natural tree generates 3.1 kg of greenhouse gases, while a fake tree generates 8.1 kg per year. Consider that a real tree regenerates atmospheric oxygen and has a much short shipping distance. Some trees include the roots so they can be planted afterwards, and perhaps used as an Xmas tree the next year.

Perhaps the only drawbacks to real trees are the pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers used to cultivate the tree. Trees are harbors for pests and mold, and the toxins may cause cancer in the workers who grow and harvest the trees. Fertilizers can run-off into nearby streams, polluting community water supplies. Obviously, these risks are well-managed, but they remain important issues. Currently, tree breeders are grafting different tree types and engaging in genetic sequencing to determine the genetic codes for ideal tree characteristics. Eventually, GMO trees could create toxin-free trees, providing a clearly sustainable choice.

Fake trees outnumber real trees in American homes 5-to-3. There will always be a need for fake trees due to allergies and pets, but perhaps we're on the verge of a return to traditions past, where people opt for real trees over fake ones. Some people will get mad that they can't buy all-silver, half Christmas trees, but those people have terrible taste anyway. As long as we don't go back to candles on the tree, I'm all for this change.