Some people argue that fake trees are better for the environment because you aren’t taking away a tree from it’s natural habitat. The problem with that thinking is that the majority of the mass produced plastic trees are made from a petroleum by-product and are not biodegradable. PVC (the plastic these trees are made from) is toxic to produce and toxic when it breaks down.

There are a couple eco-minded options if you want a real live Christmas tree. You can buy a potted live tree, then replant it or donate it for replanting. The people at the tree nursery will help you choose the best live Christmas tree and also tell you the steps you need to take for tree care and replanting instructions.

If you buy a cut tree,try and buy it from a tree farm, and then recycle it at the end of the holiday season. Real trees are farmed like crops, they don’t take away forests, while they are growing they clean the air and take away CO2. If you don’t flock them or put individual tinsel on them they can be chipped for compost.