The Most Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Christmas Tree Options

Winter is coming, and along with it, the most festive season of the year. For many of us, the generously decorated Christmas tree is an inseparable part of the Christmas spirit. However, having a lovely huge tree at home comes at a price for our mother nature.

That’s why we should stop for a second and think about how we can maintain an authentic holiday atmosphere with an eco-friendly Christmas tree option that is kind to the environment. But don’t worry, we won’t let you guess on your own which is the most sustainable option. Our guide on how to choose an eco-friendly Christmas tree is here for you.

So, if you:

• Want to know which Christmas tree is the most environmentally friendly
• Don’t know whether to opt for a real or fake Christmas tree
• Can’t decide which is best for you – a cut or pot-grown Christmas tree

Then, keep reading.

Which Christmas tree is the most environmentally friendly

Many people are torn between which Christmas tree option is the most environmentally friendly. The choice between an artificial tree and a sustainable Christmas tree can be overwhelming when considering the environmental impact. So, what should eco-conscious shoppers look for in a Christmas tree to minimize their holiday footprint?

A tree’s “environmental footprint” involves everything from the resources used to grow or produce it to its disposal. Factors like water usage, carbon emissions, and waste created during production or after disposal contribute to a Christmas tree’s footprint.

Artificial Christmas Trees

Artificial trees are a popular choice due to their convenience and reusability. They’re often made from materials like PVC plastic and metal, crafted to last for many seasons. However, while they’re reusable, the environmental impact of producing these materials cannot be ignored.

The process of manufacturing artificial trees has a high carbon footprint. Additionally, many artificial trees are manufactured overseas, meaning they’re transported long distances, further adding to their carbon emissions.

Should I get a fake Christmas tree

Unfortunately, a myth spread by the manufacturers of artificial Christmas trees is that if a fake tree is well kept, in the long term, it will end up being less harmful to the environment than a real Christmas tree, whose life, if grown in a pot, can be quite short.

However, that’s not entirely true. The majority of the artificial trees are made of a non-recycling material which makes them highly unsustainable. The estimated carbon footprint of an average artificial Christmas tree is 40kg of CO2e, which is twice that of a real tree that will end up in a landfill, or ten times that of a real tree that will be burned at the end of its life.

That is why, if you are aiming for a greener Christmas this year, we advise against artificial trees. However, if you still want to opt for a fake Christmas tree because they are much more affordable, make sure you don’t throw it out after a year or two. An artificial tree that has been in the family for ten years won’t displace the environmental impact it has, but it’s at least a tad bit greener.

Real Christmas Trees

Real Christmas trees are the traditional choice, often providing a natural look and scent. Grown on dedicated farms, they’re harvested annually and are 100% biodegradable, offering an immediate environmental advantage over artificial trees.

While natural, a real Christmas tree still has an environmental cost. Growing and harvesting these trees requires land, water, and resources. However, real trees absorb carbon while growing, which helps offset their environmental impact. They’re also often replanted after harvest, ensuring a renewable cycle. Disposal of real Christmas trees is another plus, as real trees can be composted or recycled into mulch.

How to have an eco-friendly Christmas tree

Choosing an eco-friendly Christmas tree not only reduces waste but also minimizes your Christmas tree footprint even further. Each sustainable choice you make contributes to a cleaner, healthier environment for future holiday seasons.

A sustainable Christmas tree is grown with minimal environmental impact in mind, using eco-friendly practices. This approach might include organic fertilizers, low water usage, and local sourcing to reduce transport emissions.

Buy a real-cut, sustainably-grown Christmas tree

An option that is less harmful to the environment is a real cut Christmas tree, though this is not the most sustainable choice out there, too. Real cut Christmas trees are grown in specialised plantations and cut at the trunk when the season comes.

If you choose this option, make sure you purchase a sustainably, British-grown tree cultivated slowly, without the use of synthetic fertilizers, and grown as close to your location as possible to reduce transportation emissions. Choose a tree certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This is a more environmentally responsible option, as it indicates that the tree has been grown in sustainably managed woodlands.

Once the holidays are over, your council may offer to collect and recycle your tree, or you can turn to a charity. Several organisations and companies can do the job for you. You can also make mulch of it or compost it but never take your tree to a landfill.

Buy a pot grown and living Christmas tree

The most sustainable option is buying a living, pot-grown Christmas tree from a dedicated nursery. This option will allow you to have a fresh-looking tree for the holidays that you can either re-pot when it outgrows its container or plant in your garden for a happy, long-lasting Christmas tree for years to come.

If you like the idea of buying a pot-grown tree, make sure you go for certified local farms. After the end of the holidays, bring the pot outside or plant the tree in your garden. Christmas trees require light, space, regular watering and good drainage, but still, they are easy to look after and growing a Christmas tree in a pot is worth the work. The tree will continue growing and absorbing carbon, regardless of whether it remains in the pot or is planted outdoors.

The benefits of renting a Christmas tree

Renting a Christmas tree is a rising trend, especially in eco-conscious areas. By renting, you avoid the disposal process, and the tree can continue to grow, capturing carbon year-round. These trees are usually returned to farms or forests, contributing to reforestation efforts.

Contact professionals

If you have decided to go green this year and you want to opt for an eco-friendly Christmas tree brought right to your front door, turn to a specialised company. Fantastic Services offers delivery of both pot-grown Christmas trees and fresh-cut trees, as well as a collection and recycling option after the holidays.

In this way, you won’t have to stress about what to do with your tree once Christmas is over, and how to dispose of it in an environmentally friendly way. We can also install your new Christmas evergreen, should you need help with it. Book a real Christmas tree delivery and collection today and have one thing less on your holiday to-do list.

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We would love to hear what you have to say about sustainable Christmas trees. Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Image source: Shutterstock / IgorAleks