I live in Oregon where we’re surrounded by evergreens and breathe in pine-scented air on a daily basis.  Every Christmas I’ve had a real tree, some of which we tromped out into the woods to find and others that we’ve picked out at our local tree farms.  It has always seemed like a normal part of the holidays to have a real tree, so I was shocked to hear others touting the eco-benefits of plastic holiday trees.  Say it isn’t so! 

Still, it’s good to consider the plastic vs. real debate and then think beyond it.  There’s certain to be a tree that will fit your budget and your green values.

Pros of Real Trees

  • A fabulous woody scent
  • Real trees absorb carbon for the time that they’re alive
  • They can be composted or shredded into mulch (Available here but maybe not in other cities)
  • More natural than artificial trees
  • Don’t need to be stored year to year

 Cons of Real Trees

  • Must be replaced each year
  • Sometimes have to be shipped across country when local trees aren’t available
  • Often raised using pesticides           
  • If tossed into landfills, can take years to decompose
  • Fire danger
  • Messier than artificial trees

 Pros of artificial trees

  • Can be reused for several years
  • Cost less money over the long run
  • Are less messy than real trees
  • Don’t require a trip out to purchase a tree each year

Cons of artificial trees

  • Have plastic smell, or no smell whatsoever
  • Most are made in China and have to be shipped to the U.S.
  • Contain PVC, a material that pollutes during production and releases toxins
  • Have been known to contain lead
  • Will take centuries to break down in landfills
  • Have to be stored every year

 Thrifty Green Alternatives:

  • Decorate a tree outside your home
  • Plant a pine sapling in a large container and use it for several years.  When it gets too big, transplant it outside and start another one.
  • Be creative with a branch or a bunch of cuttings.
  • Use beer bottles!  O.K.  This photo is ridiculous and very UN-baby-proof, but it’s nice to know that people can think outside the box. 

If you celebrate Christmas, what sort of tree are you using this year?  Did you find a way to make it eco-friendlier? Thanks for sharing your input—and for joining us this Thrifty Green Thursday!  Please visit our amazing bloggers below and jump right in if you have a frugal, eco-friendly post to share.