FREE DELIVERY
when buying a tree
Quick Links
NORDMANN FIR
christmas trees
- FREE DELIVERY
- RATED 4.7
The real Christmas Tree vs. artificial debate is a long-standing one in the world of Christmas trees. It’s an argument that will probably stand the test of time as each option has its own merits and drawbacks. Addis Brush Company was the first to create an artificial tree, using brush bristles in the 1930s.
Before then, your only option was the old fashioned way; you had to chop down a traditional fir tree!
Which is the best option though? Find out below!
Convenience and long-term investment seem to be the main reason why some people choose artificial trees. The current economic climate has meant that, for some, the annual expense of a real Christmas tree has become less appealing than a one-off purchase for an artificial counterpart. Artificial trees also do not require watering or much maintenance and transportation from store to home is easy.
Another reason some individuals shy away from a real tree is because of their belief that cutting down pine trees has a negative impact on the environment. However, many experts believe this to be nonsense in comparison. Artificial trees actually have a greater negative impact on the environment due to the aspects of their manufacture and life-cycle. To elaborate, artificial trees are typically made of metal and PVC, which is a non-biodegradable plastic material.
This makes artificial trees non-recyclable, meaning they will at some point end up in a landfill and remain there for centuries. What’s more, a vast number of artificial trees are actually imported from China, further adding to the overall carbon footprint.
On the other hand, the act known as ‘tree-cycling’ is the reason why many experts actually believe that real Christmas trees are a lot more environmentally friendly than the plastic alternative. Real fir Christmas trees can be recycled into mulch and then used in gardening or landscaping. They can also be chipped and placed on walkways, hiking trails and school playgrounds. This presents an easy method of returning a renewable source back to the environment instead of letting something rot in a landfill.
Even before disposal, a single tree can absorb over a ton of carbon dioxide in its entire life cycle. In addition to this, an acre of fir trees produces enough oxygen for 18 people per day. Farmers do not chop down without replanting – so you can only imagine the yearly amount of carbon sequestering associated with the trade.
Sure, a real Christmas tree does require some effort and attention, but doesn’t everything beautiful in life? You must keep the tree watered and provide some TLC; if kept in the wrong conditions, a real Christmas tree can lose its needles and become dry very quickly. You may have to dispose and re-buy once a year, but at least you know you are doing the environment a favour.
Here are ten very interesting facts about Christmas trees:
For those Scrooges out there that wish purely for convenience and lack of effort, an artificial tree will certainly seem appealing. But if you’re a traditionalist, a romanticist or simply someone who likes things done properly – then a real Christmas tree is the only way to go. Nothing can emulate the beauty, the enchantment and the quality of a real fir Christmas tree. Sure, it might leave needles on your floor but think of the carbon-neutral benefits and the ease of recycling.
Plus, it just makes Christmas what it is, doesn’t it? Chopping the tree, bringing it home, set the decorations…it all seems a bit ruined when taken out of a flat-pack box. Once decorated and the lights are on, a real tree becomes a glorious centrepiece for the whole home. For these reasons, in our humble yet admittedly slightly biased opinion, the real Christmas tree is the clear winner!
Don’t be fake this year, be real to yourself! Check out some of our Christmas trees in Manchester – we offer free delivery on all orders and provide all standing equipment too. Contact us for more information.
when buying a tree
christmas trees
©Christmas Trees Manchester – Terms & Conditions
