Are Those Real?

Well they should be!!!

Here are some Christmas Tree Facts to help you decide how to buy... should you go with a real or a fake? I think it's pretty darn obvious.

Real: The Pros

Has a real fragrance.

While growing, real trees produce a significant amount of oxygen that is released into the environment, protect the soil from erosion and provide refuge for wildlife.

Each acre of Christmas trees produces the daily oxygen requirements for 18 people.

Real Christmas trees are the best environmental option for consumers, according to former Greenpeace president Patrick Moore.

Real Christmas trees reduce carbon emissions by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, which people, plants and the environment need to survive.

Real Christmas trees are renewable, and growers plant one or more trees to replace every tree they harvest. It takes six or seven years for an evergreen to grow to a normal tree height. Planting takes place between January and May. About 40 to 45 million trees were planted in 2007 in North America.

Many times, Christmas trees are grown in soil that won't support other crops.

The majority of trees come from the United States and Canada.

Used trees can be recycled in a variety of ways. Trees are 100% biodegradable. Decomposing trees add nutrients back into the earth. Eco-friendly.

Cheaper initial purchase.

Real: The Cons

Require daily care and watering. The U.S. Fire Administration says well- watered trees are not a problem. "Dry and neglected trees can be."

Can be messy, especially on carpet.

Can affect some people with allergies.

Sometimes difficult to decorate.

Often trunks are not straight.

Often die before season is complete.

Artificial: The Pros

Faster, easier to set up.

Requires little care.

No time wasted shopping and hauling.

Cheaper when calculated over life span.

Don't affect people with allergies.

Symmetrical, easier to decorate.

Most are pre-lit.

Available in many colors.

Most fold easily for storage.

On average, a high-quality 6- to 8-foot artificial tree can go for about $300 and should last about 10 years.

Artificial: The Cons

Inexpensive versions look fake.

Takes up valuable storage space.

Generates no fragrance.

No variation from year to year.

Lighting strings might burn out in four or five years.

Nonbiodegradable.

Lead is used in the process of making PVC plastic.

Fake trees cannot be recycled and end up in landfills.

Petroleum, used to make plastic, is a non-renewable resource, as are metals.

Not ecofriendly.

(This information is courtesy of: www.fresnobee.com)

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Yep- pretty obvious.

This year, Jon and I got our first real Christmas tree (as adults) and had an absolute blast! It's not hard to remember to water it and all the rest of the so-called 'Cons' are just silly or are actually pretty fun (unless you have bad allergies- that would suck). AND all the good things that go along with getting a real tree... how could you not!?!

Jon and I started out thinking we'd be getting an artificial tree. Then I went to work and asked some coworkers which they would get and why. They listed a whole bunch of good reasons to 'keep it real' and in a few minutes, they had me totally sold. I told Jon about it when I got home and we made our decision. I researched it a little more and got real excited- I was going to get a real tree and I was going to feel awesome about it!

You should too.

Don't help contribute to our destruction. Help contribute to our success.