A real Christmas tree is greener than an artificial one

Many people believe artificial Christmas trees are more environmentally friendly because, unlike cut trees, they are durable and can be used for years, while real trees are cut down every year. The debate is often based on misunderstandings: many people assume that cutting Christmas trees involves deforestation.

Christmas trees come from specialised plantations

“It is important to clarify that Christmas trees are grown on plantations established specifically for this purpose, so they do not encroach on native forests, as some people assume,” emphasised Réka Aszalós, research fellow at the HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research. She added that such plantations also provide habitat for various animal groups, although their value in this respect falls short of that of native old-growth forests.

From this perspective, Christmas tree production is not fundamentally different from other forms of intensive arable farming or plantation-style forestry. There is no significant difference between plantation-grown Christmas trees and other commercial crops: all are cultivated for further human use.

An artificial tree is not the best option

“Plastic Christmas trees are the least advisable option for Christmas. However practical they may seem, they are particularly harmful to the environment,” the researcher said. Most artificial trees are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a non-biodegradable plastic. Over time, they become waste that continues to pollute the environment. Transport is another significant burden, as most artificial trees travel thousands of kilometres before reaching shops and online retailers in Hungary. Research also suggests that artificial trees can release microplastics, contaminating both the environment and the human body.

What is the best choice if we prioritise the environment?

From a climate and nature conservation perspective, Réka Aszalós says the best option is an alternative Christmas tree, which can even be assembled from branches or wooden planks. You can now find countless creative, attractive and environmentally friendly ideas online. At the same time, it is understandable if someone wants a traditional, natural tree for cultural reasons. In that case, it is worth weighing up the environmental considerations.

“The most important point, you could call it a rule of thumb, is that if someone buys a natural Christmas tree, they should choose one that is not too large and is definitely grown in Hungary, since trees imported from abroad, for example from the Netherlands, come with a higher environmental footprint from the outset,” Réka Aszalós stressed. She added that size matters because smaller trees generally have a lower environmental footprint because of how they are cultivated and transported within the country.

“How the tree is used after the holidays is also important. Under no circumstances should it end up in general household waste,” the researcher said. “If possible, chop it up and put it in the compost, or use it as mulch or ground cover. If that is not feasible at home, it is worth taking it to a place where it can be composted,” she added, noting that this is already standard practice in many municipalities.

Root-balled or cut tree?

“In principle, there are many arguments in favour of buying a root-balled tree, but unfortunately, experience shows that some of these plants die even if they are planted out almost immediately after the holidays,” the researcher said. She also noted that even Norway spruce is struggling to cope with Hungary’s current climate and Nordmann fir is faring even worse.

Producer perspectives matter too

Growers tend Christmas tree plantations for years and the income from selling the trees supports families’ livelihoods. For this reason, it is clearly in producers’ economic interest to replace the trees. These plants grow in the ground for years and, during that time, provide valuable ecosystem services: they absorb carbon dioxide, trap airborne dust, help clean the air, contribute to local climate regulation, support soil water retention and provide habitat for many groups of organisms.