"Tis the Season for Sustainability: Which Christmas Tree is Better for the Planet?"

It's the holiday season, and I would like to explore a question that comes to mind every year around the holidays.

Which is more sustainable - a real or an artificial Christmas tree?

Let’s take a look at which arguments are stronger and what's ultimately the greenest option.

The Footprint of Real Christmas Trees

The arguments in favour of a real Christmas tree are numerous and cover a variety of areas:

• A real Christmas tree is biodegradable and can be composted or reused afterwards. My parents, for example, use the trunk for a bonfire in summer and the branches for gardening (to keep the cats away from saplings). Some cities even offer tree recycling programs.

• Here's where it gets nerdy: Let's talk about carbon sequestration: While growing, trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, helping to mitigate climate change. If they are grown locally, transportation emissions are also relatively low.

• Support local agriculture: By buying a real tree, you are supporting local farmers and the agricultural economy. You are also supporting the growth of forests, as not all trees that are planted are sold during the Christmas season.

• Circular Economy: Christmas trees are usually evergreen conifers such as firs, spruces, or pines, sustainable plants grown in a nine-year harvest cycle. For every tree that is cut down at Christmas, one or more are planted in its place.

There are certainly compelling arguments. However, where there's light, there's also shadow, so let's examine the drawbacks of real Christmas trees:

• Pesticides and chemicals: Some real trees are treated with pesticides or chemicals to prevent pests, which can have environmental impacts.

  --> So if you buy local, make sure your local farmer doesn't use pesticides.

• Transportation emissions: If the trees are grown far away, the carbon footprint from shipping them to stores can be significant. --> Why not get your tree from a local farmer and make it a family event? We always do this with my family.

• Waste if not recycled: If not properly composted or recycled, real trees can end up in landfills, where they decompose and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas. --> But we all recycle, so that shouldn't be a problem, right? ;)

The Footprint of an Artificial Christmas Tree

Even if some may shudder at the thought of plastic, there are two arguments in favour of a plastic tree.

• Durability: One of the strongest arguments is probably their durability. If you take good care of them and store them properly, they can easily last for many, many years. This means that their annual use lowers their environmental impact.

• Convenience: Another strong argument for all the busy bees out there: they are extremely practical. They don't shed needles and don't need to be watered.

So, let's take a look at the downside of plastic trees; none of them will surprise you:

• Non-biodegradable: Plastic trees are made from materials such as PVC, which are not biodegradable and can remain in landfills for hundreds of years.

• Energy-intensive manufacturing: The production of plastic trees is associated with considerable energy consumption and the emission of greenhouse gases. The plastic itself is made from petroleum, a fossil fuel, which makes its production and disposal ecologically problematic.

• Toxic chemicals: PVC can release harmful chemicals during production and when disposed of in landfills or incinerators.

• Transportation emissions: Many plastic trees are manufactured overseas, especially in countries such as China, resulting in high transportation emissions.

Emission Profile of Both Options

Let's take a look at one last argument: "According to the Carbon Trust, a two-meter-tall artificial tree produces about 40 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), whereas a similar-sized real Christmas tree, with no roots, creates 3.5 kg CO2e – more than 10 times less" (source).

But there's a catch: if a real Christmas tree ends up in a landfill, its carbon footprint quintuples to 16 kg CO2e, as decomposition releases methane, a greenhouse gas 30 times more potent than CO2. This is why it is important to dispose of a real tree properly.

Let's Make a Decision

As with nearly all sustainability-related matters, this decision is made on a case-by-case basis. To a certain extent, it depends on how long you want to use the tree.

• Short-term use: If you know you won't be using a Christmas tree every year, perhaps because you only live in a place temporarily or travel a lot, it's a good idea to get a real, locally grown tree.

• Long-term use: If you know you'll be using the tree for years to come, a plastic tree may be the more sustainable solution. But be aware that it has a big environmental impact and you should therefore use it for many years.

However, there is a third solution, my favourite, that a friend told me about: Get a tree in a pot that you can replant after the holidays - either in your yard or at a local farm. This solution probably isn't available to everyone, but ask your local farmer or garden center if they offer something like this.

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As I researched this article and read through the arguments, I felt that the case for a real tree was a little stronger. After all, it's a natural product that helps forests grow, stores carbon, supports the local economy, and can either be reused or used for bonfires and gardening. And the smell of a Christmas tree is also part of the Christmas feeling.

Whatever you decide, I wish you a wonderful Christmas season!