Most of us wait for the holiday season from the beginning of the year, and Christmas is one of such perfect holiday festivals. The Christmas tree is the major attraction under which the surprises, gifts, and excitements are kept during Christmas.
Buying a Christmas tree and its decor can be an overwhelming process. But one of the difficulties that we always face while purchasing a tree is going all fresh and buying a real tree.
According to the statistics, in the USA, people purchase approximately 10 million fake trees every season. All these trees are made out of plastic and metal imported from China, increasing a lot of environmental issues like carbon emissions. Moreover, since these trees are not recyclable or biodegradable, all these trees are found in landfills even after ten years.
In the case of having a real tree, this can be avoided, but there are a few issues like deforestation too. In this article, you will learn the major reasons why we should buy a real tree instead of a fake one.
Top Reasons to Buy a Real Christmas Tree for the Festive Season
1. Real Trees Produce Oxygen
We all know that trees go through photosynthesis, in which the carbon dioxide in the air is converted into oxygen. By this, all the living organisms are benefited, and even when we throw away these trees, they can be burned or chipped, which makes them decompose naturally.
In this process, the tree releases carbon dioxide, which will be observed by the other plants and trees. In this case, no new carbon is emitted, and it becomes carbon neutral in the environment. On an additional note, the petroleum products used for artificial plants emit a lot of carbon into the environment. It is said the carbon emitted is twice the time of a real tree.
2. Shelter for the Animals
Growing a Christmas tree needs a lot of space which is going to resemble a small forest. Because the National Christmas tree Association stated that about 650,000 trees are sold worldwide every year. Hence before the holidays in this space, many small animals tend to habitat, which provides them a proper shelter for a minimum of a year before the season starts.
Not only for animals, but these areas also become a home for many kinds of birds and insects as well.
3. This is Not Deforestation
Many people believe that buying Christmas trees is like causing deforestation in the environment. But the actual fact is Christmas tree farms is sowing and growing Christmas trees for a purpose, and it is harvested by the end of the year.
This is not done to a forest tree, and so it is not deforestation; it is harvesting. Just like how rice and wheat are being harvested, this is also done. And once after harvesting, the farmer sows one or two seeds in the same place for the next holiday season.
4. They are Biodegradable
Unlike fake trees, it is easy to recycle and decompose the real trees. There are many cities that provide recycling processes to mulch the real trees after Christmas.
These trees are converted into wood chips, hiking trails, playground purposes, and even for beach erosion purposes. But the artificial trees made with plastic and metals can’t be recycled or decomposed in the soil. Even though we can use a fake one for many years, it will eventually get worn out, and it will need to be discarded.
5. Natural Look
Having a live tree is the trend now; the trees are not chopped, but they are taken with their roots to the homes. These trees can stay alive for up to 2 weeks, and then after Christmas, you can dig a hole and place the tree to grow it in your own yard.
Due to the frozen floor, people are collecting the real soil, and then while placing the tree, you can use that soil to cover it up. In this way, you can still grow your Christmas tree in your own yard. This is also very aesthetically appealing.
6. Job Opportunities
Having a real tree provides jobs for the local residents, says the National Christmas tree association. There is no exact estimate available regarding the employment opportunities but every 28 hectare area is supposed to provide one full-time employment.
Whereas if you see China, they produce a large number of artificial trees every year, but it does not support any local residents in their environment as it is factory-made.
Conclusion
To summarise, having a real tree for Christmas not only brings a natural touch to the festive season but also benefits our environment and people in many ways.