Real vs. Fake Christmas Trees: Which Is More Sustainable? | Reviews by Wirecutter

Nov 02, 2024

By Katie Okamoto

Katie Okamoto is an editor on the discovery team. She’s covered the intersections of products, sustainability, and health for more than a decade.

O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree, your carbon is emitting. But before you despair and go thrifting for a Festivus pole, let me put your conscience at ease.

I’m Wirecutter’s sustainability editor, and every day, I’m confronted by questions of what’s better for the environment—choice A or B. Occasionally the choice is clear, but most of the time, there’s more nuance than we might like. That’s why, rather than calling something vaguely “sustainable,” we’re specific when we talk about environmental impacts in our coverage. For example, we’ll let you know if a product or a hack saves water or reduces plastic waste.

Real or fake, Christmas trees—in all of their beauty and kitsch—are a prime example of this conundrum.

The quick answer is that many experts think real trees are, on balance, lighter on the planet, in terms of carbon emissions and resource depletion, than their artificial counterparts. For the lowest impact, get your real tree locally, and take advantage of recycling programs, as our colleagues at The New York Times advise. Recycling will turn your old tree into mulch, rather than sending it to a landfill or an incinerator. If the real tree is alive, with roots intact, and it can be replanted, even better.

But opting for a real fir still has ecosystem impacts, especially if the tree has been farmed with herbicides and pesticides. And there is a tipping point: If you keep your fake tree long enough, there will come a time when its footprint will be less per year than if you bought a real tree annually.

The magic number varies depending on the source, but I’ve seen estimates ranging from five years (according to a life-cycle analysis by the American Christmas Tree Association, which represents artificial tree makers) to 20 years.

My advice is the same as it is for anything you buy: Keep it for as long as possible. You may be surprised at how attached you get to a raggedy old tree. I grew up in a fake-tree household, and while our 20-year-old tree was a little rough and pear-shaped by the end, twinkly lights and ornaments brought splendor enough.

If you’re in the market for a new artificial tree, shop carefully. And consider whether it’s been tested for durability, since the branches, like the ones on a real tree, can snap and needles can shed. Trees with a classic aesthetic are likely to stay in your good graces for longer. Keep in mind that quality fakes can be pricey, but if you love your tree for years, the up-front cost starts to look more like a bargain compared with the price of some firs.

The holidays can be a time of excess, and this can weigh on our consciences. But don’t forget to zoom out. It’s meaningful to rein in shopping, curb waste, buy less plastic, and think of the planet as we carry on traditions. But turning down the thermostat and weatherizing your home, choosing energy-efficient lights, and (if you need the excuse) canceling your travel plans or staying closer to home will go further in curbing your footprint.

And whatever choices you make, come December they are likely to pale in comparison with long-term commitments, like flying less, driving less, tossing out less food, and reducing your meat and dairy consumption.

In other words, don’t forget the forest for the Christmas trees. Happy decorating.

This piece was edited by Megan Beauchamp and Maxine Builder.

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Katie Okamoto

I focus on the intersections of shopping, sustainability, and environmental health. I also lead and advise on standards for reporting on environmental impacts and green marketing claims of products in Wirecutter’s coverage.