Real or Fake?
Most of us get our Christmas trees from one of two places: a box or a retail lot. It’s personal preference whether you prefer a real tree or an artificial one. One benefit of a real tree is that it’s better for the environment. Even if you use an artificial tree for eight or 10 years, at some point, it’s going to end up in the trash. At least real trees are biodegradable.
Last year, U.S. households bought 27 million real trees for a total of $976 million. Most people (76%) prefer to buy them pre-cut rather than going to tree farm for a DIY job, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. Real trees outsell artificial ones almost 3 to 1.
Based on those numbers, there’s a good chance you’re planning to buy a real tree this year, so here are some tips from the National Christmas Tree Association before you head to the tree lot:
– Make sure you know what size your space can accommodate. The tree is probably going to look smaller in the open space of the tree lot but may be too much tree for the corner of your living room.
– Get a fresh one. Ask about when the trees were delivered – beginning of the season or are new ones brought in regularly?
– Run a branch through your hand and make sure the needles don’t come off easily.
– Bend the outer branches. Are they pliable? If they are brittle and snap, then the tree is too dry.
– Other signs of a dry tree are discolored foliage, musty odor and wrinkled bark.
– Don’t forget to recycle your tree. Our local municipalities usually offer options for taking trees to the recycling centers so watch local news for instructions on when and where you can take your tree.
Still thinking fake trees are better? Check out these 10 myths about real Christmas trees! Which do you prefer: artificial or real? Tell us!