Experts indicate that Christmas trees’ environmental advantages and disadvantages extend well beyond the “real versus plastic debate.” What options are available for an environmentally friendly Christmas celebration?
In 1800, Queen Charlotte, the German consort of King George III, is credited with establishing what is believed to be the inaugural Christmas tree in England, located at Queen’s Lodge in Windsor.
Christmas trees adorned with decorations have a rich history in Germany. They quickly gained popularity among the English upper classes and became a festive season staple. By the 1850s, these trees were a familiar sight throughout the UK.
Two centuries later, the beloved tradition of placing a freshly cut tree in the center of living rooms and adorning it with lights and ornaments continues to thrive in many parts of the globe. Currently, the annual sale of Christmas trees in the UK exceeds eight million, while in the United States, estimates suggest that between 25 and 30 million trees are sold each year.
Recent trends indicate a resurgence of real trees among younger generations. A 2019 survey in the United States revealed that millennials are 82% more inclined than baby boomers to choose a live tree for their holiday celebrations.
As a member of the millennial generation, I undoubtedly align with this trend. The debate surrounding choosing real Christmas trees has sparked numerous external and internal discussions. Many grapple with the question of whether opting for a natural tree constitutes an extravagant waste or if it is, in fact, an essential element of the holiday season that has minimal environmental impact.
‘There is undoubtedly a greater complexity to the situation than simply stating, ‘We are cutting down a tree and removing it.’ – Alexandra Kosiba.
Upon further investigation, it has become evident that the presumed negative environmental impact may not be as straightforward as previously believed. Discussions frequently focus on the comparative carbon footprint of real versus plastic options; however, researchers assert that their broader positive or negative impact extends well beyond this aspect.
“There is significantly more complexity involved than simply stating, ‘We are cutting down a tree and removing it,'” remarks Alexandra Kosiba, a forest ecologist affiliated with the University of Vermont Extension.
Before a Christmas tree is cut down and showcased, it is cultivated on land that could serve various other uses. Kosiba highlights that in Vermont, Christmas tree plantations are crucial in bolstering the local economy while preserving the rural landscape.
How we utilize our land has gained significant importance amid two urgent and interrelated environmental crises: biodiversity loss and climate change. Forests play an essential role in promoting beneficial land use.
“Well-managed forests are crucial to addressing climate challenges,” states Andy Finton, landscape conservation director at The Nature Conservancy, a US-based environmental non-profit organization. “Various types of trees are actively absorbing carbon from the atmosphere, effectively storing it and diminishing the levels of carbon pollution, which slows the progression of climate change.
Christmas trees represent a relatively minor land use and play a limited role in the global carbon cycle, particularly when juxtaposed with more impactful industries such as timber production or significant crops like maize and wheat. These entities present a compelling subject for exploration, mainly as many individuals interact with them more directly than with any other forest product
“Many individuals have limited interactions with nature,” states Kosiba. “It’s fascinating to consider how many individuals bring a tree into their homes, honoring and appreciating it uniquely.” This festive season presents a valuable opportunity to reflect on the broader significance of various trees and the methods and locations of their cultivation.
Christmas trees are sourced from young spruce, fir, or pine plantations. Their environmental implications are primarily contingent upon the alternative uses of the land from which they are harvested. It is imperative to recognize that old-growth forests, peatlands, and other native habitats must be preserved and not used to cultivate Christmas trees.
The plantations are cultivated for approximately a decade before harvesting, indicating that for each tree felled in a given year, around nine others remain intact. “It’s an effective method for managing a collection of trees, as the continual introduction of new trees is essential for harvesting in subsequent years,” states John Kazer, a footprint certification expert at the Carbon Trust, a UK-based environmental consultancy.
‘A Christmas tree farm within a broader landscape or a diverse array of habitat types, mainly when it includes mature and expansive forests, suggests that it plays a significant ecological role’-Andy Finton
In a notable decision, Christmas trees have been excluded from the European Union’s ambitious commitment to plant three billion additional trees by 2030. The reasoning behind this exclusion lies in the perception of these trees as having a relatively short lifespan.
“They are removed more frequently than timber harvesting or, naturally, ancient old-growth forests,” states Paul Caplat, an ecologist at Queen’s University Belfast.
“The window for biodiversity to establish itself and develop robust populations is rapidly closing.”
Research indicates that Christmas tree plantations may enhance biodiversity, particularly in regions experiencing a decline due to intensified agricultural practices. The presence of open habitat structures rich in bare ground on plantations facilitates greater accessibility to food resources.
Additionally, the trees within these areas offer farmland birds suitable nesting conditions. Managing these agricultural systems is generally less intensive than highly industrialized practices, positively affecting food availability. Additionally, their fencing serves to prevent disturbances from humans and dogs.
“According to Caplat, species that historically relied on a broader farming landscape may struggle to find necessary resources in today’s intensified agricultural environments, yet they can still thrive in Christmas tree plantations.”
A 2022 study in Germany revealed that Christmas tree plantations may serve as crucial sanctuaries for declining farmland bird species, including yellowhammers and common linnets, in regions dominated by intensive agriculture. The findings align with a 2018 study by Sauerland in Germany, which identified Christmas tree plantations as significant habitats for woodlarks.
A 2019 study conducted in Belgium revealed that beetle diversity, including that of threatened species, was more significant in Christmas tree plantations compared to maize fields. However, this diversity was still lower than that found in spruce plantations designated for timber, which benefit from more extended growth periods and reduced use of fertilizers and pesticides compared to Christmas trees.
In the naturally forested regions of the northeastern United States, younger, open forests, such as Christmas tree plantations, offer a greater concentration of insects and grasses. According to Finton, this abundance can support birds and mammals during specific lifecycle phases. “The presence of a Christmas tree farm within a broader landscape or a diverse array of habitat types, particularly when it includes mature and expansive forests, suggests that it plays a significant ecological role.”
Christmas trees are often subjected to a significant amount of pesticides and fertilizers to maintain their visual appeal, according to Caplat, a practice that carries environmental consequences. A recent study conducted by landscape ecologist Merle Streitberger at Osnabrück University in Germany has revealed that organic Christmas tree plantations offer enhanced habitat structure and more excellent plant species diversity when compared to their conventional counterparts. The research advocates for a significant reduction in the use of herbicides in these settings.
Caplat emphasizes that, in certain instances, locations previously utilized for cultivating Christmas trees may be experiencing significantly more detrimental environmental impacts. He said regions near urban centers might be repurposed as parking facilities. Kosiba highlights that in the rural areas of the northeastern United States, where expansive development is leading to the loss of forests, Christmas tree farms provide landowners with a crucial source of diversified income. “It enables individuals to reside in these areas, oversee, and cultivate their land,” she states.
Finton explains that landowners with a financially sustainable Christmas tree farm are motivated to maintain their property in a “natural, open state.” “This creates a motivation to maintain the land in its current state, rather than selling it for potential developments such as strip malls, subdivisions, or housing projects.”
Additionally, the focus shifts to the carbon. Christmas trees, much like their counterparts in the forest, play a role in carbon capture during their growth process. These trees will start emitting carbon into the atmosphere after being felled. “Kazer emphasizes the ongoing process of growth and the removal of carbon from the atmosphere, highlighting its positive implications.”
Despite the tree’s ability to absorb carbon, it is essential to note that it will ultimately be released back into the atmosphere upon the tree’s death, resulting in no net reduction of carbon levels, he explains.
Putting the amount of carbon associated with having a Christmas tree into context is also essential; according to estimates from the Carbon Trust, a 2-meter-tall Christmas tree that is burned after its use produces approximately 3.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).
This figure represents about 0.2% of the emissions a round-trip flight generates from London to New York. A tree of comparable size that is ultimately discarded in a landfill contributes a carbon footprint of 16 kilograms of CO2 equivalent. This amount equals 1% of a return flight or the emissions of consuming two hamburgers.
The method by which individuals dispose of their Christmas trees post-holiday season often emerges as a critical factor in assessing carbon impact. The most concerning outcome occurs when Christmas trees are discarded in landfills, where anaerobic conditions facilitate the release of carbon as methane
This greenhouse gas is approximately 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over 20 years. The fate of a tree, particularly whether it is sent to a landfill, significantly influences its carbon footprint. According to figures from the Carbon Trust, a tree disposed of in a landfill can emit approximately four to five times more carbon than one that does not.
If a tree remains alive with its roots intact, replanting it is the optimal course of action. A practical alternative involves gradually releasing the tree’s carbon back into the atmosphere as CO2. This process occurs when the tree is chipped and distributed across gardens or parks or when it is composted.
When the tree is utilized as an energy source through burning, the carbon stored within it is released directly into the atmosphere as CO2. It is advisable to investigate if the retailer from whom you purchased the tree provides recycling services, enabling the tree to be chipped and returned to its original growing fields.
Whole trees serve as practical tools for habitat restoration on riverbanks and shorelines, which are crucial in preventing erosion. In Vermont, the repurposing of old Christmas trees has taken on various forms, ranging from biomass burning for energy to serving as goat food. “We’re also seeing folks using them in stream restoration,” notes Kosiba.
“These structures excel at trapping dirt and debris while forming small barriers and pools for fish, effectively mimicking the natural behaviors of beavers.”
In addition to their disposal, Christmas trees contribute to greenhouse gas emissions due to the fertilizers employed in their cultivation. These fertilizers, derived from fossil fuels, release nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. Fuel consumption is a significant factor in managing and harvesting forests, particularly when it comes to the transportation of trees to their designated locations.
Several alternatives exist that can eliminate waste. In a growing trend, certain businesses now provide Christmas tree rentals, enabling customers to rent a potted tree for a few weeks during the holiday season.
“It aligns seamlessly with the sustainability framework of reducing and reusing before recycling,” states Caplat.
For individuals with sufficient outdoor space, purchasing a pot-grown Christmas tree presents an appealing alternative. This option allows the tree to be kept in the garden until the next holiday season, and it may eventually be planted permanently as it matures.
“It’s difficult to envision a more effective approach,” states Finton, who recommends selecting a local species that will flourish in your region and ensuring it receives adequate water while indoors.
The debate surrounding the choice of opting for an artificial tree continues to be a pertinent topic of discussion. The decomposition of these materials in landfills can span hundreds of years; however, when reused over an extended period, they may present a lower carbon footprint than purchasing multiple natural trees.
The Carbon Trust has calculated that the carbon footprint of plastic Christmas trees can be seven to 20 times greater than real trees. This variation is influenced by several factors, including the disposal method of the actual tree and the distance individuals travel to acquire it. Kazar emphasizes the importance of maximizing the lifespan of artificial trees by reusing them for numerous years.
“Significant effort is required to cultivate and transport those trees,” Kazer remarks. “Currently, these items present significant challenges for recycling due to their complex nature.”
‘While it may seem insignificant, this drop is a valuable model for approaching various situations’ according to Paul Caplat.
While Christmas trees may not pose a significant environmental threat during the holiday season and could offer certain ecological advantages, their management practices have considerable room for improvement.
Using fertilizers and pesticides in tree cultivation can be minimized or completely eradicated, particularly by embracing less conventional varieties. Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that forests receive certification from recognized organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council, which is responsible for verifying the sustainable sourcing of forest products.
There is potential to cultivate them in urban areas, mainly where alternative land uses are less favorable. Additionally, using pot-grown trees could be a viable option over traditional cut trees, followed by their permanent planting. Prioritising the purchase of local trees presents an opportunity to minimise travel emissions, while also striving to prevent any Christmas trees from ending up in landfills.
“While it may seem insignificant, every drop serves as a valuable model for our approach,” states Caplat. Christmas trees intersect with pressing issues such as climate change, the biodiversity crisis, and concerns regarding cost, welfare, and affordability. It is a desire shared by a vast majority.
