Is this the year to go fake? Everyone wants to reduce their environmental impact, but experts warn there are no easy solutions when choosing an eco-friendly Christmas tree.
Tis the season to take sides (over the tree)
Is this the year to go fake? Everyone wants to reduce their environmental impact, but experts warn there are no easy solutions when choosing an eco-friendly Christmas tree.
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 woods in Germany. He saw stars shining through trees. Inspired, he took one home and lit it with candles.
Some say the religious reformer invented the Christmas tree. Others think it is just a good story. This German custom is now a global business. Today, 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 the young1 many people are now buying plastic trees and in the US, sales of artificial trees have doubled in the past decade.2
In winter, green trees remind us of spring. So the ancient Egyptians put green palms in their homes and the Romans decorated temples with green branches.
Can plastic replace this ancient tradition? Could fake trees be eco-friendly?
In the 19th Century, Germans made the first artificial trees using goose feathers. Most modern ones are made from recycled plastic.
A study from the University of Sheffield suggests 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 some tree farmers use pesticides and fertilisers. If the tree ends up in landfill, it decomposes and produces methane, 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 powerful than CO2.3
Experts 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.
In 1848, a newspaper picture showed Queen VictoriaThe Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 to 1901. Her reign is known as the Victorian era. and her German husband, Prince Albert, with a Christmas tree. Soon everyone wanted one in their homes.
But the tradition arrived in England much earlier. Queen CharlotteCharlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was the 19th Century German wife of Britain's King George III. decorated one in 1800. Before that, people put greenery in churches.
Traditions change. Ideas online include book trees and creative uses for step ladders and box crates. The goal: be festive without hurting the planet.
Is this the year to go fake?
Yes: Our ancestors worshipped trees and followed rituals to make sure spring would come. 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.
CO2 - Carbon dioxide.
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.
Queen Victoria - The Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 to 1901. Her reign is known as the Victorian era.
Queen Charlotte - Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was the 19th Century German wife of Britain's King George III.
Tis the season to take sides (over the tree)

Glossary
Martin Luther - A 16th Century German priest known for his role in the Protestant Reformation and as the namesake of Lutheranism.
CO2 - Carbon dioxide.
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.
Queen Victoria - The Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 to 1901. Her reign is known as the Victorian era.
Queen Charlotte - Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was the 19th Century German wife of Britain's King George III.