The smell of pine surrounds us, boxes of ornaments are coming out of the closet and Mariah Carey’s voice blasts from every stereo. The Christmas season is finally upon us, which most famously includes the appearance of the Christmas tree.

There are nearly 15,000 Christmas tree farms in the United States, according to the Washington Post, and there are between 350-500 million trees being grown on these farms. Of these, only about 30 million are harvested for Christmas each year. These trees also require a lot of water. Once chopped, each tree needs about three quarts of water per day. 

However, although natural trees can have some negative effects on the environment, they can be better than some artificial trees, as they do not need to be shipped across the world. According to The Nature Conservancy, around 10 million artificial trees are purchased in the US yearly, 90% of which are shipped from China, producing an increase of carbon emissions. These artificial trees are also non-recyclable. By buying a real tree, consumers not only help tree farms stay in business, but they also allow for lands to remain healthy and habitable for the wildlife that depends on them to survive. 

“People have the misconception that real trees are bad because you’re cutting down a tree, [but] the opposite is true,” said the Nature Conservancy’s New York office executive director Bill Ulfelder.

Moreover, real Christmas trees are recyclable. Most counties have locations to drop off your tree after the Christmas festivities are over or allow you to put it on the curb for pick up depending on where you live. It is also possible to replant your Christmas tree after the holiday season, as long as the tree still has its roots. Although replanting the tree can have many steps, such as securing a healthy root system, maintaining the temperature and soil, it is overall very environmentally sustainable.

You could even grow a small tree from Christmas tree cuttings, but this is very difficult, and the cuttings must be taken from a young, freshly cut tree. 

Overall, the choice of which type of Christmas tree to buy may be different for every individual. Whichever you decide, make sure to do proper research and keep in mind the environmental impacts of your holiday choices.