is a christmas tree a good thing or not?

Question

is a christmas tree better when artificial or real?
this is for a report

Answer 1

Fake trees: One time cost - but you have to store it somewhere.

Real trees: You have to go out and purchase one (they sold for $25 back in 1980 for a Michigan pine [8-9 ft, full, very nice]. In 2005, the same tree hit $50.00.

So, from a cost standpoint: A good artificial tree can be purchased for about $200 after Christmas. It will last for several years. A single purchase has to last at least 4-5 years before paying for itself.

Real tree cost is driven by the market. If you wait too late, then you will end up with a Charlie Brown tree - which is fine if that is what you want.

Environmental Impact: artificial trees are made of plastic and are boxed for sale. They are transported from overseas via ocean freight, and distributed to the store via common freighter.

Real trees have to be nurtured, fertilized and maintained until harvest. Staff have to drive to the fields as required to perform these services. They are sealed in a plastic liner and shipped from the USA via freight line. Assuming the freight transportation yields the same impact, then there is an equal trade off for real versus artificial or the advantage eans to real (a real tree can be mulched and recycled easier than a fake tree).

Answer 2

Some people say it's not Christmas without the smell of a real tree. I say if you have to have a real tree, get one that is in a pot that you can plant outside later. I don't agree with cutting down a tree just so you can look at it for a couple of weeks and then throw it out to the curb. I put sentiment into the decorations and decorating and the memories and don't care that my tree is plastic. It's what it represents that counts, not how it smells - besides, you can buy the smell in a spray can.

Answer 3

I can't do real Christmas trees due to allergies, also there is a fire hazard. A live tree can be better outside. Environmentally a real tree inside the home is not one of the better practices due to the killing of the tree. Now if you have a Norfolk Pine in your home, this tropical tree can be kept year round. I do like the smell of a real tree in small doses, but that can be reproduced artificially now.

Answer 4

We bought a an artificial tree 5yrs. ago for $20.00 at K-Mart.We say every year that we're going to get a real one but we never do.I guess it's because the price of a real tree is so expensive and after the holidays it just goes in the trash. Our fake one will most likely be around for a few more Christmas's.

Answer 5

The artificial tree is only a fake. Yes, they are pretty and look good and serve the purpose.
But, there is meaning in a real tree. The smell of the pine, the excitement of gathering/buying the tree and setting it up, etc. I have had both and the real tree is definitely the best!

Answer 6

Its not a bad thing but if you look at what the real meaning of Christmas really is about in the story of Jesus' birth u don't see a Christmas tree there at all.... The Christmas tree is a man made thing that doesn't hurt u spiritually with God but if you have a conviction like me I personally don't put one up..

Answer 7

a Christmas tree is better when artificial you don't have a mess to clean up after and it saves money from buying tree after tree after tree. my family has had one that was about 50 years old but we finally had to get rid of it it just did not look like it use to.

hope this helps you

Answer 8

Just a commet to the answer that said we need to stop cutting down Christmas trees: Christmas trees are grown on Christmas tree farms, that are planted for the purpose of cutting them down. Companies don't just wander into the woods and cut down a bunch of trees. I know this because my dad worked on a Christmas tree farm when he was in high school

Answer 9

I used to have a real tree when I lived in the north. I never thought I would consider a fake.

However, when I moved to the south, I have only had a real tree once, which my son and his buddy cut down for us when he was about 7. That was a special tree.

I don't know how long the real trees have been cut and I consider them a fire hazard. Then there is the outrageous price that is charged for them.

Answer 10

personally i think a really christmas tree is better than the fake, reason been is that the real brings a sense of homely feeling and a great sense of warm to those you're around. and nothing can compare to the smell of the real thing