Christmas tree is an adorned evergreen coniferous (fir) tree that can be real or artificial. A Christmas tree is the eventual symbol of home, holiday and family tradition. Christmas tree is traditionally connected with the Christmas celebration. During the holiday season of Christmas, Christmas tree is used as a custom in many Christian homes and in community areas. The Christmas tree is decorated with Christmas lights (initially candles), garlands, ornaments, and tinsel. The festive atmosphere of the room will be lighted and become colored with the decoration of Christmas tree.
Evergreen coniferous tree is worshiped as a manifestation of the Gods by Druids. Fir tree is decorated to give invitation to fairies to join the celebrations. Natural Christmas trees are good for the environment as they provide a habitat for wildlife including numerous species of bird, and locally grown trees do not need long-haul transportation, as per the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA). A habitat for a range of birds is provided by Christmas trees through cultivation methods, according to the needs of wildlife.
Natural Christmas Trees have less collision on weather change than typical artificial trees. A natural tree will generate 3.1 kg of greenhouse gases whereas the artificial tree will produce 8.1 kg per year, according to an independent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study, which was conducted by a firm of experts in sustainable development. Gayla Hansen is a Christmas tree farmer in the Pacific Northwest, where Arizona gets 80 percent of its Christmas trees, according to him, “Natural Christmas trees are recyclable, sustainable and renewable”. Artificial Christmas trees are reusable, necessitate minimal upkeep and are easy to store up. Artificial trees are passed from generation to generation by some families to make them sentimental heirlooms.
Natural Christmas trees:
Natural Christmas trees are carbon-neutral so they can not produce carbon dioxide. Natural Christmas trees are grown at the home or can be purchased from market. By purchasing a living or natural Christmas tree, people can help in reducing waste. In the market, Christmas trees are sold in a pot with their roots intact. For the best chances of success, select a container-grown tree, which has been grown in its pot for at least one year. After Christmas, re-pot these trees into a larger container to allow the tree to grow ready for the next year and they can be replanted in the soil outside, if they become too big.
Advantages of Natural Christmas trees:
Natural Christmas trees are more environmental friendly, in comparison to artificial Christmas trees. Natural Christmas trees are a carbon neutral and generate greenhouse gases while produce oxygen at the same time. Natural Christmas trees smell good and provide habitat for wildlife, take away dust and pollen from the air and absorb carbon dioxide. Natural Christmas trees are renewable, recyclable and help to prevent soil erosion and harmful runoff. According to the University of Illinois Extension, “Recycled trees have been used to prepare sand and soil erosion barriers and been placed in ponds for fish shelters.” Natural Christmas trees are capable of enduring difficult conditions and can be produced nearby.
Disadvantages of Natural Christmas trees:
Christmas trees need several applications of chemicals to control pests and speed growth. Pesticides such as pyrethroids are used in Christmas tree production to detect the groundwater or well water. Pyrethroids are the more toxic class of organophosphates, which is responsible for a growing number of human poisoning incidents involving pesticides in the U.S. Natural Christmas trees require higher maintenance.
Artificial Christmas Trees:
Artificial trees are mostly made up of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a harmful plastic and collision the planet in multiple harmful ways in its production. Artificial Christmas trees are imported from China. During the 19th century, first artificial Christmas trees were developed in Germany. During the late 20th century, Artificial Christmas trees became increasingly popular. Artificial Christmas trees users think that artificial trees are more convenient and they are much cheaper than their natural alternative. If people do not mind having the same color scheme each year, then Pre-lit artificial trees are nice for them.
Advantages of Artificial Christmas trees:
Artificial Christmas trees are durable and they will be used till about six years. These Christmas trees are affordable, generally cheaper than natural cut trees because people can use them more than once till six years. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, “Artificial Christmas trees are an alternative for those who suffer from allergies or asthma. Some people are allergic to terpene, the substance found in the oil or sap of Christmas trees”. Artificial Christmas trees are easier to assemble and maintain. To decorate it, simply pull the tree up over a metal stand and plug it in. Plastic trees do not shed their needles and do not need to be cared for. Artificial trees come in an amazing range of sizes and appearances.
Disadvantages of Artificial Christmas trees:
Artificial Trees are made of a harmful plastic, PCV. PVC is not biodegradable so it impacts the planet in multiple harmful ways in its production. It creates dioxins in its manufacture and it emits dioxins and other carcinogens on incinerating the PVC in the trees. Artificial Christmas trees are more dangerous for children due to Lead, a toxic metal and can cause damage to the brain and nervous system, is often used as a PVC stabilizer. Artificial Christmas trees not contain natural scent so they are not able to provide the relaxing aroma of a real pine tree.
Table showing comparison between Natural Christmas Tree and Artificial Christmas Tree:
| Natural Trees | Artificial Trees |
|---|---|
| PLACE OF ORIGIN | |
| United States & Canada | 85% from China |
| METHOD OF PRODUCTION | |
| farming | factory |
| planting takes place Jan-May | raw materials sent to factory & assembled into final product |
| estimated 40-45 million trees planted in 2008 in North America | product is shipped to U.S. then distributed to stores |
| estimated 446 million trees growing on farms in U.S. | number of factories unknown |
| tree farms support complex eco-systems | factories only consume natural resources |
| COMPONENTS | |
| plant tissue | plastics and metals |
| 100% biodegradable | non-biodegradable |
| PVC FREE? | |
| Yes | No |
| LEAD FREE? | |
| Yes | No (lead is used in the process of making PVC plastic) |
| CARBON NEUTRAL? | |
| Yes | No |
| trees absorb carbon dioxide | plastic is a petroleum byproduct |
| when decomposing, carbon, nitrogen and other elements are released into soil | |
| CHEMICALS? | |
| No | Yes |
| Scientists have measured cut Christmas trees for chemical residue and not found any significant amounts | PVC itself is a dangerous chemical |
| Many different bugs, fungi and parasites can attack and kill trees, so farmers may use pesticides to keep consumers' trees healthy and alive until harvest | Manufacture of PVC creates and disperses dioxins, the most toxic man-made chemical known |
| Most pesticides are ground applied | Released into air or water, dioxins enter the food chain, where they accumulate in fatty tissues of animals and humans, a potential risk for causing cancer, damaging immune functions and impairing children's development |
| Herbicides are used to suppress, not kill off, weeds to prevent soil erosion | |
| If someone tells you “there are chemicals on cut Christmas trees” they are wrong | |
| DISPOSAL | |
| Recycled | Landfill |
| Used trees can be recycled in a variety of ways | Fake trees can’t be recycled and end up in landfills |
| Decomposing trees add nutrients back into the earth | All of the accumulated fake trees are a burden to the environment indefinitely |
| RENEWABLE RESOURCE? | |
| Yes | No |
| New trees are planted every year | Petroleum, used to make plastic, is a non-renewable resource, as are metals |
| ECO-FRIENDLY? | |
| Yes | No |
Video of Real Christmas Trees from youtube:
Video of Learning About Artificial Christmas Trees from youtube:
Video of Christmas trees: Real vs. artificial from youtube:
You Might Also Like :
- Christmas Trees - Real Vs Fake(artificial) Christmas Trees for 2009-2010?
- Home Depot Christmas Trees 2009-2010
- Christmas Decorations Sale UK
- Sweepstakes from Classic Heartland.com '$1,000 Home Improvement Christmas Shopping Spree'
- Christmas Celebrations in Different Parts of the World
- Merry Christmas Photo Cards & Greetings
respond
Anonymous — Tue, 01/04/2011 - 11:48When your goal is to get high grades, you will have to use some musters essay paper service.
of course natural christmas
Anonymous — Thu, 12/30/2010 - 18:02of course natural christmas tree is the better than the artificial tree,,, natural xmas trees r gud for environment while artificial trees are dangerous for child.
Matt
Anonymous — Fri, 11/26/2010 - 10:08thanxxx my grade in environmental science just went up!!!
Dany
Anonymous — Wed, 11/24/2010 - 12:06love of course a real christmas tree. i grew up with a real christmas tree every yr also dis year! make my christmas special n different!
our family has always used
Anonymous — Tue, 11/23/2010 - 09:43our family has always used artificial christmas trees. artificial christmas trees can be decorated d same as real trees. even better, save time as u decorate for christmas, consider purchasing a pre-lit christmas tree.