A real Christmas tree is better for the environment, so long as you recycle
Spending time around the Christmas tree can prompt the question: Just how sustainable is this tradition?
Christmas trees are getting harder to grow, and that fact is reflected in rising prices. And of course, cutting real trees removes them and their carbon mitigation from the atmosphere.
Warmer temperatures and changing soil conditions make it harder to get that perfect tree. Milder winters allow pests and diseases to persist longer. Over the past few years, a fungal disease has taken out high numbers of evergreens, putting pressure on the market, including North Carolina’s Fraiser firs.
"Like with humans, if we're, you know, we're stressed out, we're more susceptible to disease," says Justin Whitehall, professor of forestry at North Carolina State University.
"The first big challenge is that the trees are becoming more and more stressed out, which makes them less likely to respond as quickly if they are threatened by something."
Still, a real tree is better for the environment than an artificial tree, which requires at least 10 times more carbon to produce. Fake trees are often made from mined metals and a plastic called PVC that uses fossil fuels to produce and isn't biodegradable. Most artificial trees purchased in the US are also made in China, so add in even more emissions from shipping.
For every real tree harvested, one to two are replanted which sequesters carbon.
After Christmas, you can make a real difference in how you dispose of a real tree. If it it ends up in the landfill, it releases methane – a greenhouse gas 30 times more potent than CO2.
The best way to use that tree's natural benefits is through recycling. Many counties accept trees and turn them into mulch for public parks. Research the free dropoff facilities and curbside pickup dates for your community, and your tree can bring benefits long after the holiday decorations are stored.
