Are Fake Christmas Trees Actually More Eco-Friendly?

If you celebrate Christmas, getting a tree each year comes with a host of vexing questions. Balsam or Fir? Ceiling height or adorable mini-tree? Perhaps the most important is whether to keep lugging home a real piece of nature or investing in a re-usable fake tree.

Senior staff writer Tim Heffernan has been testing and researching artificial trees for years, and breaks down the pros and cons of going real or fake.

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Thumbnail photos: Michael Murtaugh / iStock

[doriechevlen]

Hi, I’m Dorie, the host of this video (in case you don't recognize me without the reindeer antlers). I love learning about the best products, so if there’s something you’d like to learn more about, leave a comment! Also please keep the comments nice I am devastatingly sensitive and I will take them all to heart <3

[susanmacmillan]

I bought a 4 ft' Barcana artificial tree in 1983 and it still looks as bushy and good as the day I bought it(now 38 yrs old). So if 6 yrs is the breakeven for the environmental cost, it was well worth it. I put it in a bedroom and have a larger real tree in the main room.

[sarahroo]

We have my grandparents' old artificial tree. It looks great, I have no idea how old it is, definitely more than 6 years.

[hivetyrant]

Who's paying $500 for a fake tree??? I don't think I paid more than $40 a few years ago

[popenieafantome]

Our artificial tree has lasted probably a decade and a half. Definitely looks fake, so not a really expensive one but instead we just drown it in decorations that we have hoarded over its lifetime.

[willow]

Real trees smell amazing but make the biggest mess . Fake last forever

[popenieafantome]

Our artificial tree has lasted probably a decade and a half. Definitely looks fake, so not a really expensive one but instead we just drown it in decorations that we have hoarded over its lifetime.