Malia's Real Estate News

Real Christmas Trees vs. Fake Christmas Trees: Which are Greener?

By: G. M. Filisko

Published: December 10, 2010

How do real Christmas trees and fake Christmas trees stack up when it comes to the environment and cost? We’ve got the dirt.

  

Chopping down a tree every year may not seem very environmentally friendly, but real trees, which are recyclable and renewable, are a greener choice than plastic trees. Image: Photomondo/Digital Vision/Getty Images

Real Christmas trees are better for the environment than fake Christmas trees: They’re renewable and recyclable, unlike that petroleum-derived faux model. But the aroma of pine will cost you. Depending on where you live and the size and species of tree you buy, a real Christmas tree runs $20 to $150 annually.
You can pick up a basic fake Christmas tree for as little as $23 from Lowe’s. Or, go deluxe—with already-lit, snow-covered branches—for as much as $298. Either way, keep a faux tree in the family for at least a decade to goose up your holiday gift fund and mitigate the pileup in your local landfill.

If you insist on replacing your fake tree every year to change things up, donate your old one to a charity, a resale shop, or Freecycle.

Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/articles/real-christmas-trees-vs-fake-christmas-trees-which-are-greener/#ixzz18LKB5UX1