Choosing between a real and artificial Christmas tree is not a simple environmental trade-off. The impact depends on how long an artificial tree is kept, where a real tree is grown and how either option is handled after the holidays.
The Carbon Trust says an artificial tree may have lower emissions than buying a commercially grown natural tree every year if it is reused for 7 to 20 years. The break-even period varies with the artificial tree’s weight and materials, so replacing it after only a few seasons can undermine that advantage. The Carbon Trust advises people who already own one to keep using it for as long as possible.
Buying secondhand is another option for shoppers who want an artificial tree. For a fresh-cut tree, the supplied report recommends looking for locally grown stock and checking for FSC certification, which indicates responsible forest management.
Disposal can change the footprint
A real tree should be recycled rather than left on a pavement or sent to landfill. The Carbon Trust estimates that chipping or burning a natural tree can reduce its carbon footprint by up to 80%. Local collection schemes may chip trees for pathways or compost them for use in public spaces.
Artificial trees cannot be recycled, but a tree in good condition may be reused by a charity, church or voluntary group rather than discarded.
Renting a potted tree offers another approach. London Christmas Tree Rental, described in a Euronews report, delivers a living tree for the festive season and arranges its return in January so it can be cared for and used again. The company’s co-founder Catherine Loveless said the idea grew from concern about trees being used for only a few weeks before disposal.
For shoppers, the most practical choice is often the one they can keep in use: reuse an artificial tree for many years, or choose a responsibly grown real tree and make sure it is properly collected after the holidays.
Clayton Ward