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Real vs Artificial Christmas Trees in South Florida

If you’re looking into buying an artificial Christmas tree in South Florida, you might be wondering whether a faux Christmas tree is the right choice over a real one. At Tree Towne Christmas Trees, we love helping families across the Palm Beach and Martin County area find the perfect tree for the holidays. Below, we’ve broken down some of the key pros and cons of both real and artificial Christmas trees to help you decide.

real christmas tree

Real Christmas Trees

Pros of Real Christmas Trees:

  • Nothing can beat the fresh pine smell of a real Christmas tree.

  • Picking out a live tree is a fun, memorable family tradition.

  • One acre of Christmas trees provides enough oxygen for 18 people every day.

  • Supports small, family-owned tree farms across the USA.

  • Environmentally friendly and recyclable — learn how to recycle your tree at Earth911.org.

  • Guilt-free: the demand for real Christmas trees helps promote sustainable tree farming.

  • Christmas trees grow on soil unsuitable for other crops, improving land use.

  • Out of 33 million trees sold annually, 93% are recycled through over 4,000 programs.

  • A single tree absorbs one ton of CO₂ during its lifetime — imagine the benefit of 350 million growing trees!

  • According to the National Christmas Tree Association, tree farming helps employ over 100,000 people.

  • Only ¼ ounce of pesticides are used on a non-organic tree over its lifetime.

  • Sustainable tree farming provides a renewable, healthy supply of trees.

  • At tree farms, every harvested tree is replaced by a new one.

Cons of Real Christmas Trees:

  • Needles can create some mess.

  • Trees can carry allergens.

  • Some farms may use pesticides (non-organic).

  • Depending on your location, trees may travel hundreds of miles.

  • Requires transport and setup.

artificial christmas tree

Artificial Christmas Trees

Pros of Artificial Christmas Trees:

  • A faux Christmas tree can save you money over time.

  • Last an average of 7–9 years.

  • A fake Christmas tree requires no watering and no needle cleanup.

  • Some are easy to set up.

Cons of Artificial Christmas Trees:

  • 85% of artificial trees are made overseas, mainly in China.

  • Shipping artificial trees uses fuel and increases carbon emissions.

  • Made with PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a petroleum-based plastic that’s non-biodegradable and polluting to manufacture.

  • Production of PVC releases carcinogens like dioxin, ethylene dichloride, and vinyl chloride.

  • Older artificial trees may contain lead.

  • Once disposed of, artificial trees sit in landfills for centuries.

Why Real Christmas Trees Are the Better Choice

While fake Christmas trees may seem convenient, real Christmas trees are a sustainable, eco-friendly, and locally sourced choice that supports American tree farms and the environment.

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At Tree Towne Christmas Trees, we believe in celebrating tradition — from selecting your fresh tree to taking it home and decorating with family. Visit us at our South Florida Christmas tree lots to find your perfect REALChristmas tree this season.

​Sources: NCTA National Christmas Tree Association and Earth911.org

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Read the latest news in this debate on The Guardian. 

 

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