Is Christmas Tree Farming Bad For The Environment?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Farmers plant Christmas in rows just as if they were corn. … But during that time, the tree is taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. It is cleaning the air and helping slow

climate

change. If people didn't buy the cut trees, the farmers wouldn't plant them.

Are Christmas tree farms good for the environment?

Christmas trees are crops grown on farms, like lettuce or corn. … The trees

provide many benefits to the environment

as they grow, cleaning the air and providing watersheds and habitats for wildlife. They grow best on rolling hills that are often unsuitable for other crops and, of course, they are biodegradable.

Is the Christmas tree business bad for the environment?

Farmers plant Christmas trees in rows just as if they were corn. … But during that time, the tree is taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. It is cleaning the air and helping slow climate change. If people didn't buy the cut trees, the farmers wouldn't plant them.

Do Christmas trees cause deforestation?

Many consumers believe real Christmas trees are harvested from wild forest stands and that this process contributes to

deforestation

. In fact, the vast majority of Christmas trees are grown on farms for that express purpose.

Are Christmas tree farms ethical?

So yes, Christmas tree farms actually do their part to reduce global warming, and so these pines are therefore possibly the most ethical kind of Christmas tree you can buy. … But there's more good news, too:

tree farms are also sustainable

: for every harvested Christmas tree, at least one new tree is planted.

Which is more environmentally friendly fake or real Christmas tree?

However, according to another study that came out in 2009 from Montreal, an

artificial Christmas tree

would have to be used more than 20 years to be greener than buying a real tree annually. This study takes into account greenhouse gas emissions, the use of resources, and human health impacts.

Which Christmas tree is most environmentally friendly?


Getting a live Christmas tree with the root ball attached

is by far the most eco-friendly Christmas tree. If you can't get a tree with an attached root ball, getting a live Christmas tree is more eco-friendly than getting an artificial Christmas tree.

Why are fake Christmas trees better?

Artificial Christmas trees are made from

fire retardant materials

, making them a much safer option for your home. … Artificial trees hold their shape so you can rest easy that your favorite ornaments won't easily fall off branches and break.

How long do fake Christmas trees last?

A Nielsen survey commissioned by the ACTA found that the average consumer keeps their artificial tree

for 10 years

. But Heffernan said a good one should last longer, and you could use a “Cadillac” tree for decades.

How many trees cut down for Christmas?

Americans cut down

15,094,678 Christmas trees

in 2017, according to the most recent year of data from the U.S. Agriculture Department. Growing all those trees requires about 19.7 square miles of land.

Why don t real Christmas trees smell anymore?

The first is the

health and hydration level of the tree

. A freshly cut tree is typically more fragrant than one that was cut some time ago. If the tree isn't taking up water, its sap won't be moving, so very little scent will be released. … If you have a living (potted) Christmas tree, it won't produce a strong smell.

What are the drawbacks of having a real Christmas tree?

  • The costs incurred – buying one every year.
  • You have to water them daily to keep them fresh and increase their resistance to fire.
  • They might harbor mold, fungi, or bugs.
  • They are typically more prone to fires, especially if you don't keep them hydrated.

What are the benefits of a real tree?

Real trees are much better for the environment. They are essential to complex ecosystems that

provide refuge for wildlife

, protect water supplies and stabilise the soil.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.