Fraser Fir Christmas Trees vs Fake Christmas Trees

Why use a real tree?

Economic Advantages:
Real Christmas trees are grown on United States family farms, making an important economic contribution to many rural communities in America.  Fake trees are made in Korea, Taiwan and China and importing artifical trees contributes to the US trade deficit.  Help promote economic growth in the US.

Environmental Advantages:
Real Christmas trees absorb carbon dioxide and other harmful greenhouse gases and release fresh oxygen into the air.  A real tree has a wonderful fragrance.  One acre of real Christmas trees provides the daily oxygen needed for 18 people.  There are about 500,000 acres of Christmas trees in the US which provide oxygen for 9 million people daily.

Fake Christmas trees are made from non-renewable plastics.  The manufacture of petroleum based plastics use up natural resources.  The manufacturing of plastic and metal components in fake Christmas trees consume energy and create pollution.

For every real tree harvested, another one is planted in its place to ensure a steady supply year after year.  Christmas tree fields support turkey, quail, songbirds, rabbits and deer.

The avergae use of a fake Christmas tree is only 6 or 7 years.  Eventually they all go to the landfill as garbage.  Fake Christmas trees are not biodegradable.  The plastics and metals that they contain, including lead, will remain in our landfills for centuries.

Real Christmas trees are an all-American renewable, recyclable resource.  After the holidays, real trees are chipped into biodegradable mulch, which replenishes soil in landscapes, parks, and schools.  Most communities offer recycling programs.  Recycled real Christmas trees are also used as wind and water barriers at beaches and river beds to fight sand and soil erosion.  They protect our water supplies, and provide refuge for wildlife.  When sunk in ponds, they provide excellent refuge and feeding areas for fish.

Health Effects:
Some consumers have suffered an allergic reaction to materials in their fake trees.  Some consumers are allergic to dust that accumulates on surfaces of real trees grown outside.  You can wash most allergens off by spraying the tree with water before bringing it inside. 

Are fake trees really fireproof?  No!  The artificial tree, which was advertised as "flame retardant," did resist the flames for an amount of time, but then was engulfed in flames and projected significant heat and toxic smoke, containing hydrogen chloride gas and dioxin. 

The safest Christmas tree is a fresh, well-watered tree.  A real tree has never started a fire.  Faulty Christmas lights, candles, and fireplaces can start tree fires.