No

by Krista Al Qirim

Created on: December 13, 2009   Last Updated: December 14, 2009

Cutting down a Christmas tree is absolutely 'not' bad for the environment.  In fact, it can be quite 'good' for the environment - if you do it right.

Artificial trees are usually made of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride). Aside from the carcinogenic qualities of PVCs, their lead-leaching qualities, and their byproducts/waste products, there is the issue of manufacture. PVCs are petroleum products and as such, their manufacture is inherently damaging to the environment via the drilling and refining of the oil and the creation/industrial production of the PVCs. 

Because they are molded lumps of plastic, their manufacture dumps various chemicals and carbon dioxide into the air without any benefit or mitigating contribution of oxygen. Artificial trees are not recyclable in most cases, and do not biodegrade.

Artificial trees are also quite often manufactured in China.

Real trees are most often grown on domestic tree farms and are therefore, a renewable resource. Each tree harvested for use as a Christmas tree is replaced by a new tree. These trees exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen throughout their life cycle, helping to reduce greenhouse gasses. Because there are tree farms in almost every U.S. state, shipping tends to be shorter and therefore less polluting. After use, real trees can (and should) be chipped/mulched and used to enrich the soil in public gardens, parks, etc. 

Let's compare:

ARTIFICIAL TREES                     

* Usually made of PVCs, a petroleum product known to produce carcinogens both when manufactured and when disposed of

* Manufactured in such a way as to produce a large quantity of toxic emissions

* Leach lead into the surrounding environment

* Often shipped far greater distances than "real" trees

* Often made in China

* Usually not recyclable

REAL TREES

* Usually grown on tree farms, where they are replaced with new, living trees

* Produce oxygen/remove carbon dioxide right up until harvest

* Usually not shipped as far to reach their destination (reducing shipping emissions)

* Not known to leach toxic chemicals or carcinogenic compounds

* Reusable via mulching or chipping

* Safe around children and pets

* Smell wonderful

Please keep in mind that I am referring to farm-grown trees. Please don't grab an axe or chainsaw and hike up into the mountains to cut down whichever tree catches your fancy. Those trees aren't replanted, they aren't necessarily replaced, and they aren't ours to cut down at will. 

If you must cut from the mountains or forests, please have the proper permits and guidance from the local forestry folks. Remember, trees in the wild aren't just trees - they're habitat, they're part of an ecosystem, and they're soil erosion control. 

Now, a cut tree isn't the perfect tree, environmentally speaking. The perfect tree would be a live tree in a pot, to be transplanted outside after the holiday season. For folks who find that practical, my hat's off! It's a wonderfully "green" practice! For those of us who can't be planting a fir, pine, cedar, or spruce every year, cut trees from a local tree farm or lot are by far a better choice than artificial. 

Markedly more environmentally friendly, and certainly safer for us all.  If you're looking for the tree choice that will serve your family, your community, and your planet best, a real tree is the only way to go.

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