Real Or Fake: Which Christmas Tree Is More Eco-Friendly?

We weigh the pros and cons to help you decide.

December 1, 2015
couple decorating christmas tree outside in snow

If opting for a fresh Christmas tree over a fake one is a no-brainer in your mind, you're at odds with a majority of the public: Approximately 60 percent of Americans set up fake trees for the holidays, according to polls by ABC News and The Washington Post. But—popularity aside—which is the healthier, more eco-friendly choice?

Fresh Christmas Trees



Cons: Those real trees have pest problems and are usually grown with pesticides that are toxic to wildlife and, in some cases, to people. The Environmental Protection Agency has banned indoor use of some of the pesticides used on Christmas trees, such as chlorpyrifos and malathion, which can cause damage to human nervous systems.

Fake Christmas Trees


Cons: All that budget decorating comes at a cost to the environment. Fake trees are made from the plastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and the toxic chemical dioxin is released during PVC production. (By the way, in the event of a fire, the tree will burn and emit dioxin.) PVC contains hormone-disrupting plastic softeners called phthalates. And many fake trees have been found to be contaminated with lead. In fact, many of them come with a warning label advising you to wash your hands after handling them to prevent ingestion of the brain-damaging metal. Does that sound like something you want in your living room? And the plastic tree can't be recycled should you decide to ditch it for a newer model. Eventually, it's going to wind up in a landfill and stay there forever, barring some intervention from St. Nick.

Related: The Four Most Dangerous Types Of Plastic

So Which Should You Choose?

environmentally friendly than your yearly evergreen.


Plus, let's face it: You just can't beat the smell of a real tree.