Artificial or Real Christmas Trees? The Christmas Tree Debate Benefits and Concerns

The Christmas Tree Debate

Benefits and Concerns

Christmas Trees in US Households Consumer survey by the National Christmas Tree Association 2000 2002 Fake Trees 50.6 million households 47% of Households Real Trees 32 million households 21% of Households No Tree 32% of Households

Artificial Trees - Benefits Minimizes GHG emissions: Artificial trees can be reused for 10-15 years No mold allergies Artificial trees do not consume water each day Artificial trees are not thrown out every year Image: www.kpic.com

Minimizes GHG emissions: Artificial trees can be reused for 10-15 years

No mold allergies

Artificial trees do not consume water each day

Artificial trees are not thrown out every year

Artificial Trees - Concerns Image: www.greenearthpromos.com Image: www.3dchem.com Polyvinyl chloride Petroleum–based: Non-renewable Carbon Emitting Image: www.climatechangenetwork.org.uk Not Recyclable Lead Greenhouse Gasses

Artificial Tree Concerns Try to purchase a tree not made with PVC and without lead After touching the tree, wash hands thoroughly before touching your face or handling food Do not vacuum dust from under the tree as it could spread tiny particles of lead dust through the air Degradation of the PVC into lead containing dust can occur if artificial trees with PVC and lead are placed near a sunny window or heat source/fireplace More than 80% of artificial trees are made in China GHGs emitted during manufacture, processing & shipping High probability of lead content. Image: www.christmas-tree-world.com

Try to purchase a tree not made with PVC and without lead

After touching the tree, wash hands thoroughly before touching your face or handling food

Do not vacuum dust from under the tree as it could spread tiny particles of lead dust through the air

Degradation of the PVC into lead containing dust can occur if artificial trees with PVC and lead are placed near a sunny window or heat source/fireplace

More than 80% of artificial trees are made in China

GHGs emitted during manufacture, processing & shipping

High probability of lead content.

Less Waste Annually. Reuse; No dead trees; Transportation concerns; Water conservation. Less maintenance. Potential cost savings. Artificial Tree Benefits

Less Waste Annually.

Reuse;

No dead trees;

Transportation concerns;

Water conservation.

Less maintenance.

Potential cost savings.

Real Christmas Trees - Concerns Herbicides are sometimes used when growing seedlings. Phosphate is used by many commercial Christmas tree farms - nutrient runoff to surface water. Pesticides are sprayed at least once a year for pest management depending on USDA inspections and commercial practices. Excess trees cut: Some trees are cut and never used as ornaments. Image: www.newmediaexplorer.org

Herbicides are sometimes used when growing seedlings.

Phosphate is used by many commercial Christmas tree farms - nutrient runoff to surface water.

Pesticides are sprayed at least once a year for pest management depending on USDA inspections and commercial practices.

Excess trees cut: Some trees are cut and never used as ornaments.

Real Christmas Trees - Concerns A real tree in the house can trigger allergies from the mold found on the bark, the trunk or the branches, especially when the tree warms up. High greenhouse gas emissions: Trees are seldom indigenous to consumer’s area-transportation Cutting and bailing trees and transportation of trees-processing Generation of dead trees annually. Image: www.newmediaexplorer.org

A real tree in the house can trigger allergies from the mold found on the bark, the trunk or the branches, especially when the tree warms up.

High greenhouse gas emissions:

Trees are seldom indigenous to

consumer’s area-transportation

Cutting and bailing trees and

transportation of trees-processing

Generation of dead trees annually.

Real Christmas Trees - Benefits Offsetting CO2: Trees grow by taking carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the atmosphere for respiration – younger growing trees require more. Releasing Oxygen: Real trees release oxygen into the atmosphere. In addition they create green space and are turned into compost at the season end. Net growth in trees: For every tree harvested, more trees (usually 3 for each 1 cut) are planted to ensure a steady supply year after year. Many uses: Real trees can also be used to prevent shore erosion.

Offsetting CO2: Trees grow by taking carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the atmosphere for respiration – younger growing trees require more.

Releasing Oxygen: Real trees release oxygen into the atmosphere. In addition they create green space and are turned into compost at the season end.

Net growth in trees: For every tree harvested, more trees (usually 3 for each 1 cut) are planted to ensure a steady supply year after year.

Many uses: Real trees can also

be used to prevent shore erosion.

Trees grown locally – remember that the dug hole for the tree should be double the tree’s ball in size. Consider your state’s extension service to identify Christmas trees that are indigenous to your area. Check for mold on the needles, bark & branches. Consider Tree farms that use soil conservation practices and use very little or no phosphates or fertilizers. Check with your State’s Christmas Tree Association or the National Christmas Tree Association for additonal information. Real Tree Considerations

Trees grown locally – remember that the dug hole for the tree should be double the tree’s ball in size.

Consider your state’s extension service to identify Christmas trees that are indigenous to your area.

Check for mold on the needles, bark & branches.

Consider Tree farms that use soil conservation practices and use very little or no phosphates or fertilizers.

Check with your State’s Christmas Tree Association or the National Christmas Tree Association for additonal information.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! From all of us at EcoPlum