When choosing a tree for Christmas, you might have faced a dilemma: real or artificial. The best choice, in my opinion, is the real tree because they are beneficial toward the environment.

Christmas trees contribute to the environment, from the time they are planted all the way to after the holidays when they can be recycled. While growing, they, like other trees, absorb carbon dioxide and other gases, then produce clean oxygen. This helps to prevent the harmful greenhouse effect.

One acre of Christmas trees produces the daily oxygen needed for as many as 18 people. In the U.S., there are about one million acres of Christmas trees, which means 18 million people a day get the oxygen they need.

One benefit of Christmas trees is the lack of odor so they do not affect people with allergies.

Farms that produce Christmas trees stabilize soil, provide refuge for wildlife and protect water supplies, all while providing scenic green belts. Very often, they will grow on soil that cannot support other crops.

Artificial trees are petroleum-based products that use cast resources during their fabrication process. A burden toward the environment is that artificial trees are not biodegradeable, which means they will stay in landfills for centuries to come. An artificial tree's estimated lifespan is six years.

A live Christmas tree can be easily reused and recycled.

Christmas trees can be used for other things, also. The trunks and branches can be turned into mulch, which provides a protected barrier for roots of other plants, plus prevents weeds from growing. This can help out your garden and our local parks.

The mulch then decomposes, providing nutrients that plants need to grow.

Mulching programs are a growing trend in communities throughout the United States. If sunk into private or local ponds, trees make an awesome refuge and feeding area for fish.

In addition, Christmas trees can be made into bird feeders. Add a little color and bird food and the birds have a haven, plus it could be fun to see what types of birds you attract.

There are several places in town you can go to drop off your trees. They are: Second and Columbia, 18th and Galveston, Second and Floydada, 16th Street Park and 3900 Garland, or you can take them to your local landfill east of the city on Highway 70.

Happy holidays!

(Shayla Perry is a member of Pitch-In Plainivew and Plainview 4-H Club recycyling committee.)