Christmastime is here, meaning there’s tons of shopping, baking, and decorating to be done!.
One tradition that has carried on since the 16th century is the of decorating Christmas trees. Many Americans will buy a real tree each year for their home while others will purchase an artificial tree. But many wonder, which is the best option?
Many who purchase an artificial tree do so because of allergies from the trees’ fragrance or spores that irritate people with asthma. Artificial trees are also easier to clean up after the holidays. They hardly shed and don’t naturally bring bugs into the house. Others who purchase artificial trees see it as an investment that will last for several years to come. However, many fear that excessive amounts of these trees could be damaging to the environment.
According to the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York, artificial trees have a lifespan of about six years and take over 500 years to degrade. Around 21.1 million artificial trees sold each year in the United States and there is currently no way to recycle them.
Each year, approximately 25 to 30 million real Christmas trees are sold in the United States according to the National Christmas Tree Association’s statistics. Many fear that cutting down so many live trees could be harmful to the environment.
Though these are serious concerns, it is relieving to know that a single Christmas tree  will absorb more than 1 ton of carbon dioxide in its average 7 year lifespan. Also, 93 percent of real trees are recycled thanks to tree recycling programs across the country. Not only that, the tree farming industry has employed over 100,000 people for full time and part time work.
While it is convenient and possibly healthier to use an artificial tree each year for Christmas, there is no denying the environmental and economic benefits of purchasing a real tree.
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