Real Christmas Trees: The Natural, Eco-Friendly Choice

Why Choose a Real Tree?

Each holiday season, shoppers debate real versus artificial trees. The traditional, natural choice—a real Christmas tree—offers environmental benefits from planting to post-holiday recycling.

Environmental Benefits While Growing

• Absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen, mitigating greenhouse effect.
• One acre provides daily oxygen for 18 people; U.S. Christmas tree farms cover ~1 million acres, supplying oxygen for 18 million people daily.
• Farms stabilize soil, protect water supplies, and provide wildlife habitat, often on land unsuitable for other crops.

Artificial Trees: A Petroleum-Based Burden

Artificial trees consume vast resources during manufacturing, are not biodegradable, and linger in landfills for centuries. Average lifespan is only six years.

Real Trees Are Reusable and Recyclable

• Biodegradable: trunks and branches become mulch for gardens, parks, or animal stalls, suppressing weeds and enriching soil.
• Community mulching programs are widespread; check local public works.
• Used as sand/soil erosion barriers at beaches and riverbeds.
• Sunk in fish ponds, they create refuge and feeding areas.
• Before recycling, turn them into bird feeders with orange slices, suet, and seed.

Living Trees: A Growing Trend

Living trees with intact roots can be replanted outdoors after the holidays.

Popular Christmas Tree Varieties

Balsam Fir

Dark-green, long-lasting needles, attractive form, pleasant fragrance.

Douglas Fir

Dark green or blue-green needles, 1–1.5 inches, soft, sweet fragrance when crushed. Nationally popular.

Scotch Pine

Dark green foliage, stiff branches ideal for heavy ornaments, excellent needle retention.

Norway Spruce

Fair to excellent color, but poor needle retention unless cut fresh and well-watered. Dark green needles, drooping branchlets.

White Pine

Sheared trees preferred; good to excellent needle retention, minimal aroma, fewer allergic reactions.

Fraser Fir

Uniform pyramid shape, dark blue-green needles, pleasant scent, excellent shipping and needle retention.

Blue Spruce

Stiff, sharp needles; symmetrical form; good needle retention with proper care.

White Fir

Good foliage color, natural shape, aroma, and needle retention. Needles 0.5–1.5 inches, bluish-green when young.

Tree Care Tips

• Ensure the trunk "handle" is long enough for your stand; avoid whittling sides.
• Make a fresh, perpendicular cut (¼–1 inch) at the base before placing in stand.
• Place in water immediately; most species absorb water up to 6–8 hours after cutting.
• Use a stand that fits; keep water level above the cut (1 quart per inch of stem diameter).
• Keep away from heat sources; lower room temperature slows drying.
• Use miniature lights to reduce heat; inspect light sets for wear.
• Turn off lights when unattended; don't overload circuits.
• Remove tree promptly after Christmas or if dry; find recycling via realchristmastrees.org.
• Never burn tree parts in a wood stove or fireplace.

Myths Debunked

• Drilling a hole in the base does not improve water uptake.
• Anti-transpirants have little effect on moisture loss.
• Water-holding gels can reduce available water.
• Additives (sugar, bleach, aspirin, etc.) are unnecessary; clean water is best.