One winter's night in 1536, Martin LutherA 16th Century German priest known for his role in the Protestant Reformation and as the namesake of Lutheranism. was walking in the woods near his home in Germany. Looking up, he marvelled at twinkling stars above snowcapped firs. Inspired by nature's beauty, he hauled a tree into his house and decked it with candles. Evergreen hope to light up the darkest days of the year.

Some say the 16th Century religious reformers invented the Christmas tree. Others think it is just a good story. But over the last 500 years, a charming German custom went global. Today, according to the Wildlife Trusts, over eight million Christmas trees are sold annually in the UK and an estimated 25-30 million in America.

While real trees may be coming back into fashion among younger generations¹ many people are now buying artificial one. In the US, sales have more than doubled in the past decade.² In 2022, there were 20,000 more Internet searches for factory-made trees than for the real thing.³

When the fields are bare in midwinter, evergreen trees are a reassuring reminder of spring, life and growth. So during the winter solsticeEither of the two moments in the year when the Sun's apparent path is farthest north or south from Earth's Equator., ancient Egyptians put green palm rushes in their homes and Romans decorated their temples with green boughs.

Can lifeless plastic replace this ancient tradition? And could fake trees be more eco-friendly than farmed fir, spruce or pine?

In the 19th Century, Germans feared losing their forests to a love of Christmas trees. So they designed an alternative, made from goose feathers dyed green. Later designs included aluminium and brush bristles. Most modern fake trees are manufactured in China from recycled plastic.

A study from the University of Sheffield comparing the sustainability of artificial versus real Christmas trees shows that a fake Christmas tree must be reused more than five times to lower its carbon emissions to less than those of a real tree. Real trees, in contrast, can be sustainably farmed and absorb CO2Carbon dioxide. from the atmosphere as they grow.

But living trees might not be as green as they seem. Some farms use water, pesticides and fertilisers. If the tree ends up in landfill, it decomposes and produces methaneA particularly strong greenhouse gas produced by fossil fuels and cattle., a greenhouse gasGases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, contributing to global warming. Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapour are all greenhouse gases. 25 times more potent than CO2.⁴ The Sheffield study suggests buying a pot-grown tree or, at the very least disposing of your tree responsibly. This means, ideally, chipping it for mulchMaterial, including decaying leaves and compost, that is spread around a plant to help it grow. or compost, or replanting it if it has roots, although even burning it is arguably a better option than putting it in landfill, if you are using it to heat your home.

In 1848, a newspaper illustration showed Queen Victoria and her German husband, Prince Albert, enjoying a Christmas tree. Two years later, Charles DickensThe Victorian novelist is credited with inventing Christmas as we know it today through the warm descriptions of it in his books. wrote a short story about "that pretty German toy". Soon everyone who could afford it wanted a tree in their hall or parlour.

In fact, the YuletideAn old word for the Christmas season. tree arrived in England much earlier. German-born Queen CharlotteCharlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was the 19th Century German wife of Britain's King George III., wife of George III, decorated a tree at a children's party in 1800. And before that, people adorned churches and homes with evergreen branches.

Traditions change. Environmental scientist Laura Young suggests "a tree of books". Ideas online include creative uses for step ladders and box crates. The goal: to bring festive cheer without harming the planet.

Is this the year to go fake?

Yes: Our ancestors worshipped sacred trees and followed solstice rituals to ensure that spring would return. Now we must stop killing trees and make better traditions so the world can have a future.

No: Nothing compares with the look, feel and smell of a real tree. We need these comforting traditions. And if we buy locally and dispose of our trees responsibly, we can enjoy them guilt-free.

Or... This debate is pointless if you travel hundreds of miles at Christmas and exchange mountains of unwanted gifts wrapped in wasteful packaging. These traditions are far more harmful to the planet.

Martin Luther - A 16th Century German priest known for his role in the Protestant Reformation and as the namesake of Lutheranism.

Solstice - Either of the two moments in the year when the Sun's apparent path is farthest north or south from Earth's Equator.

CO2 - Carbon dioxide.

Methane - A particularly strong greenhouse gas produced by fossil fuels and cattle.

Greenhouse gas - Gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, contributing to global warming. Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapour are all greenhouse gases.

Mulch - Material, including decaying leaves and compost, that is spread around a plant to help it grow.

Charles Dickens - The Victorian novelist is credited with inventing Christmas as we know it today through the warm descriptions of it in his books.

Yuletide - An old word for the Christmas season.

Queen Charlotte - Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was the 19th Century German wife of Britain's King George III.