Fake Christmas Trees Less 'Green' than the Real Deal

According to a scientist, it may be that an actual tree for Christmas is greener than a fake, plastic one. The biologist, who is based at the Saint Joseph's University, in Philadelphia, believes that his idea may seem a little bit counterintuitive at first, but says that his arguments are valid, and should not be dismissed lightly. Clint Springer shares that people worried about deforestation should consider that the trees being sold in markets around the world are actually not being cut from forests, but grown on special farms.

With this knowledge in mind, it makes more sense that cutting them will not contribute to an exacerbation of the negative side-effects of global warming and climate change, he says. Springer adds that the people involved in the business of growing Christmas trees in some cases manage tree farms precisely so that actual trees from forests are not decimated for a human habit. As far as greenhouse-gas emissions go, the expert points out, it stands to reason that real trees are to be preferred over synthetic ones. Those in the latter category are made of plastic, which is, in turn, synthesized from oil, he tells LiveScience.

The real trees are actually carbon neutral, he explains. As they grow, they store a certain amount of CO2 inside. Once Christmas is over and they are removed from homes, they end up in special centers, where they are disintegrated for mulch. This material gradually releases its stored carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere, but not more carbon than it took out, and also over a longer period of time. On the other hand, plastic trees are produced each year and contribute to pollution by not actually being able to soak up carbon from the air around them.

The scientist adds that, of the people who buy fake trees, a large number do so because of the convenience associated with them, and not necessarily because they want to go greener. But, given the global economic climate, it may be a lot cheaper this year for local tree growers to sell their products in local markets. Most plastic trees are made in China, therefore they should arrive at retailers' shops with a higher price than that of farm-grown ones.