Christmas Tree Debate
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| Real |
 |
| Artificial |
OR
Which type of tree is better for the environment? There is conflicting data. Below is a list of pros and cons for each. What do you think?
Real Christmas trees were first put in homes in the early 15th century and became custom in Germany by the early 18th century.
- Pros -
- Provide habitat for wildlife during growth
- Can be recycled and used as mulch
- Can be used to prevent erosion
- Real tree are carbon-neutral
- Real pine smell
- Cons -
- repeated applications of pesticides over the approximate 8 years of growth
- People cutting down rare trees
- Discarded trees (not recycled or mulched)
The first artificial tree was created in Germany in the early 19th century and was made of dyed feathers.
- Pros -
- Most are now made of recycled PVC
- Can be used year after year
- No watering, no falling pine needles
- Cons-
- Made of vinyl, a non-renewable petroleum-based product
- Would need to be kept at least 20 years to have the same environmental impact of a real tree, according to a 2008 study Link to study
