When it comes to picking out your Christmas tree, it is important to consider what kind of tree you should purchase. Now I’m not talking about whether a fraser fir, eastern white pine, or Colorado blue spruce is best for your holiday aesthetic. It’s time to discuss the age-old question: Should you get a real or artificial Christmas tree? At first glance, an artificial tree may seem like the more environmentally friendly option, it doesn’t require cutting down a real tree, after all. While this is a reasonable assumption, the reality is a bit more complicated.
For starters, the make-up of an artificial tree is a mixture of metal and petroleum-based materials, which are primarily produced overseas, making it non-renewable and energy-intensive for production and transportation. On the other hand, a natural Christmas tree absorbs carbon dioxide and other gases while giving off fresh oxygen. Christmas trees are grown on farms much like any other crop, and each year one to three seedlings are planted to replace each tree harvested, ensuring a constant supply. Christmas tree farms also provide natural coverage for wildlife and support complex ecosystems during their multi-year growth periods. To put it in perspective, the Christmas tree farming market adds an additional 350 million conifer trees across the United States. The large number of trees also stabilizes the surrounding soil and protects water supplies through the natural filtration process that takes place as water passes through the xylem tissue of the sapwood.
While there is an argument to be made for an artificial tree lasting multiple years, it is essential to look beyond the time of use and rather at the disposal. On average, an artificial Christmas tree is used for only six to nine years before being thrown away. Due to the material make-up of an artificial tree, it cannot be recycled, so it ends up in the landfill, never to be used or seen again. While a natural Christmas tree can only be used for one season, it has many options for disposal, all of which involve waste diversion from the landfill and the repurposing of the tree. For once, single-use is more beneficial to the environment than multi-use, assuming proper disposal, of course.
Now it is time to look at the disposal options for your natural Christmas tree this year. Whether you want to do it yourself or have someone else take care of it for you, there are a few sustainable options to choose from. For the residents of Eagle County, there are a few different options offered by each town for Christmas tree disposal:
There are additional options for drop-off, such as the Eagle County Landfill in Wolcott (year-round) for a small drop fee ($21/ton), which will then be mulched and available to residents for pick-up. Vail Honeywagon also offers drop-off services for compost at a small disposal fee, located at the Honeywagon Compost Facility.
No matter where you’re located or how you choose to dispose of your tree, please ensure that ALL additional decorations such as ornaments, lights, tinsel, metal hooks, and any other non-tree items are removed from your tree before disposal.
If you have the right tools, disposing of your tree at home is a great option. Mulching the tree and using it in your garden helps retain moisture, regulate temperature, prevent erosion, and add nutrients to the soil. If composting, cut the tree into small pieces for faster breakdown, and consider using pine needles as mulch since they decompose slowly. Be sure to layer your compost properly with a balanced mix of green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials for best results. Keep an eye out for sustainable disposal options this holiday season and let your tree continue to bring value even after the holidays.
Grace Soensken is a Sustainability Intern at Walking Mountains.