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While it's difficult to imagine celebrating the holidays without a traditional Christmas tree, there is considerable debate about how environmentally responsible it is to cut down a tree that took a decade or more to grow, only to discarded it a few weeks later.
If you can't bear the thought of celebrating Christmas without a live tree, relax. After carefully weighing all the pros and cons, there is very little difference between the overall impact of live and artificial trees.
Since both sides of the great Christmas tree debate end up about even, it's really a matter of personal choice. Here's a comparison:
Real
Cost: $40 and up
Raw materials: Fresh air, sunshine and water
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Life span: 2 to 3 weeks
Annual cost: $40 or more/year
Ease: Finding that perfect tree can turn a happy family outing into a nightmare before Christmas!
Recycling: Most municipalities have curbside mulching and composting programs.
Trees can also be set up outside during the winter months as a habitat for birds and then chopped for firewood.
Biodegradability: 100% biodegradable. Breaks down quickly to return nutrients to the environment
Smell: Wonderful – unless you’re one of the estimated 7% who have allergic reactions to conifers.
Fire safety: Serious safety hazard if not watered and properly cared for.
Fire hazard: Burn incredibly quickly and can consume an entire room in less than 30 seconds.
Greenhouse effect: The average conifer absorbs one tonne of carbon over a 60-year period.
Maintenance: Must be watered daily.
Cleanup: Pine needles are difficult to remove from carpets and furniture.
Fake
Cost: $150 to $200 and up
Raw materials: 90% of artificial trees are made from recycled plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Life span: 10 years or more
Annual cost: $15 to 20/year
Ease: Just think of all the gas (and aggravation) saved every year by simply hauling the tree up from the basement.
Recycling: Even though they are made from plastics, artificial trees are not recyclable, which means they eventually end up in the dump.
Biodegradability: Never. Plastics don’t degrade - they just break down into smaller and smaller pieces over thousands of years.
Smell: Odour-free – an advantage for those with allergies. Downside: using artificial pine sprays can trigger major allergic reactions.
Fire safety: PVC trees are fire-resistant but not incombustible.
Fire hazard: In the unlikely event of a fire, release toxic fumes.
Greenhouse effect: An artificial tree would have to be used for 20 years to have a lower carbon footprint than a real tree.
Maintenance: None!
Cleanup: Dismantle and pack away for next year.
Trade balance: (Stats Canada): $34.2 million worth of Canadian trees (1.8 million) were exported from Canada in 2008. Meanwhile, $46.9 million worth of artificial trees were imported into Canada in 2008 ($44.8 million from China).
How to select a live Christmas tree
If you’re opting for a real Christmas tree, the best bet is to cut your own from a reputable tree farm. (Trees should never be cut down in conservation areas or forests.) If you decide to buy a cut tree, remember the following:
Figure out where you want to put your tree ahead of time. This will help determine how tall a tree to purchase.
Test for freshness before buying. Very few needles should fall when the butt of the tree is tapped on the ground; needles should bend, not break; and the stump should be sticky with resin.
Fresh trees should have a strong, natural fragrance and a good green colour.
Before setting up the tree, saw two inches (5 cm) off the butt end. This opens the tree stem so it can take up water.
Use a tree stand that holds plenty of water (4 litres is recommended).
Place a tree bag under the tree skirt for easy clean up at the end of the holidays. Once the decorations are removed, the bag is lifted up over the tree, dramatically reducing the number of pine needles that will need to be vacuumed up later.
Water daily. Real trees can drink up to four litres a day.
If the water level drops below the bottom of the tree, a seal will form, preventing the tree from absorbing any more water. If this happens, the tree should be removed from the stand and the bottom re-cut (a virtually impossible task with a fully decorated tree!).