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. Inspired by nature's beauty, he hauled a tree into his house and decked it with candles. 

Some say the 16th Century religious reformer invented the Christmas tree. Others think it is just a good story. But over the last 500 years, a charming German custom went global. Around 25 million trees will be cut down this festive season - in North America alone.¹

But many people are now buying plastic, not pine, as artificial trees become popular. In the US, sales have more than doubled in the last decade.²

When the fields are bare in midwinter, evergreen trees are a reassuring reminder of spring, life and growth. So during the winter solstice, 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 fake tree has a big carbon footprintThe total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by our actions. China is the top emitter with 28% of the world's total emissions. The US is second with 14%., says expert John Kazer. It would take "at least 10 Christmases to keep its environmental impact lower than that of a real tree". They, in contrast, are sustainably farmed and absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere as they grow.

But living trees are not as green as they seem. 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 CO₂.³ Instead, Kazer advises that they should be burnt, replanted or woodchipped.

Real trees are single-use, says environmental scientist Laura Young. Fake can be "really sustainable" if looked after and passed on.

In 1848, a newspaper illustration showed Queen Victoria and her German husband, Prince Albert, enjoying a Christmas tree. Soon everyone who could afford it wanted a tree in their hall or parlour.

Traditions change. 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.

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.