It has been a long-held Christmas tradition to decorate our homes with wreaths of evergreens, pine cones, candy canes, strings of lights, and nativity scenes. To complete our list of decorations, how could we forget the ever-popular Christmas tree that we placed in the center of our living room, surrounded by wrapped presents?
But whether we decorate our Christmas tree with lights, bulbs, or ribbons is of secondary importance compared to deciding whether to buy a live or an artificial Christmas tree. Some families prefer to buy an artificial Christmas tree as they think it is cheaper and Christmas is a one-time thing in a year.
While some choose to have an artificial Christmas tree every year, there are clearly others who would rather buy a living Christmas tree for reasons you may not have heard of before. Want to learn more about the benefits of buying a live Christmas tree? Let’s unravel them in this article!
6 Real Benefits of Buying a Live Christmas Tree
Here are the advantages of choosing a live Christmas tree over an artificial one:
1. It is cheaper than an artificial tree.
Yes, we will start with the cost as it should be. When choosing a Christmas tree, you have to weigh in the cost as it fits your budget. As time passed, some people believed that live Christmas trees were much more expensive than artificial ones. However, that’s not always the case.
A 6-foot live Christmas tree can cost as little as $15 for a permit to cut your own compared to an artificial Christmas tree of the same size that costs at least $50. Seems odd, right? Well, the creation of artificial trees is getting costlier every year, and shipping those trees also costs more, especially if imported due to tariffs. So, cost-wise, live Christmas trees are the best choice.
2. It can be easily recycled.
Since you’ll only use a Christmas tree during the holiday season, is buying a living Christmas tree better than an artificial tree? If you have limited storage space, like an attic or a basement, artificial trees are not for you as they take up valuable storage space in your house.
On the other hand, live ones are recyclable because after using them, you can use the lumber for other things like firewood. And, if you’re into crafts, you can create woodwork like chairs, ladders, tables, and more!
3. It is better for one’s health.
Live Christmas trees are responsibly grown and tended as crops on expertly run tree farms. However, this is not the case for artificial trees, as they are made with harmful chemicals such as metal and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). When manufactured, PVC releases carcinogens such as dioxin, ethylene dichloride, and vinyl chloride, which are not biodegradable. Over time, PVC gradually releases dioxins, making it even more harmful. But since living Christmas trees do not emit toxic chemicals into the home, you do not have to worry about anyone being exposed to them.
4. Christmas tree farming creates jobs for locals.
Buying real Christmas trees helps put idle farmland to good use. In fact, Christmas trees can grow on soils unable to support delicate crops. Each year, 100,000 people worldwide work in jobs associated with the growing and harvesting of Christmas trees.
On top of providing jobs, buying live Christmas trees also supports small seasonal businesses, particularly benefiting family-owned Christmas tree farms and local nurseries.
5. It positively impacts the environment.
Real Christmas trees sustain life by absorbing carbon dioxide and other gases and producing oxygen while they are growing. Christmas tree farms help to stabilize soil, protect water supplies, and provide habitat for wildlife, all while creating scenic green belts.
Often, Christmas trees are grown in places where other crops can’t grow. As they grow, the average Christmas tree can take in up to one ton of carbon dioxide, and one acre of trees can provide enough oxygen for 18 people daily.
6. It symbolizes family tradition and creates a nostalgic feeling.
The tradition of using real Christmas trees has been around since ancient Roman times. Real Christmas trees have a distinct coniferous fragrance that an artificial tree can’t replicate.
Over time, the Christmas tree symbolizes humanity’s faith and hope for harmony. With its pleasant scent and natural warmth, a real Christmas tree projects this feeling when brought into our homes.
Key Takeaways
If you’re considering getting a live Christmas tree for this year’s yuletide season, there are many ways to get one. You can visit Christmas tree farms, farmer’s markets, or select shops. But if you grow one on your property, imagine how convenient it would be to simply cut one and bring it straight to your home.
However, why trouble yourself doing the tree cutting and all when you can call our tree experts at Green Tech? Or, if you need other tree care services, such as tree pruning and trimming, tree spraying, and tree removal, we are the best team to handle the job!
See our services page for more information!
