The Most Sustainable way to Procure Christmas Trees
Ensuring a consistent supply of Christmas trees is critical as demand spikes in December.
The question of how to most sustainably procure this tree has long been an industry concern.
As consumers opt for fake and real trees, the more sustainable decision according to environmental experts is to opt for the real thing.
The reasons are complex, coming down to procurement leaders ability to play a positive role in reinvigorating biodiversity.
Artificial trees come with a carbon cost
In the United States an estimated 10 million artificial trees are purchased annually. This number rises far higher when we look at the rest of the world, resulting in a prominent environmental cost.
The production process for this trees is the biggest culprit.
Manufactured primarily from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), artificial trees are energy-intensive to produce and rely on petrochemical inputs.
These trees are overwhelmingly made in China, requiring long-distance shipping and adding to their carbon footprint.
These trees are typically non-recyclable and end up in landfills once discarded, where they contribute to environmental degradation.
Real Christmas trees: the sustainable sourcing choice
Real Christmas trees are a significantly more sustainable sourcing choice, due to their ability to reinvigorate biodiversity.
In the US alone, between 350 and 500 million Christmas trees are cultivated on farms, with roughly 30 million harvested annually.
Each of these harvested trees according to the National Christmas Tree Association is replaced by one to three seedlings, ensuring a continuous cycle of growth.
These trees also serve as suitable habitats for wildlife, supporting biodiversity.
In light of the increasing pressures to convert farmland to other uses, Christmas tree cultivation helps preserve farmland.
Procuring real trees: the greener alternative
Real Christmas trees are more sustainable from their inception, absorbing carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen and contributing to the fight against climate change.
By procuring real trees, industry leaders utilise one of the world's most cost-effective tools in carbon emission reduction.
They also help support forest conservation, sustaining habitats for wildlife, maintaining soil health and supporting local economies.
Sustainable disposal and second lives
Unlike their artificial counterparts, real trees have multiple environmentally friendly disposal options.
Many communities offer recycling programmes, repurposing used Christmas trees for conservation projects such as erosion control, wildlife habitats and mulch production.
Artificial trees in contrast lack these options.
Due to their mixed-material construction, they rarely qualify for recycling, meaning their lifecycle ends in a landfill, contributing to waste and pollution.
Sustainable forestry & procurement
When it comes to sustainable forestry and procurement, many question how cutting down trees could be anything but a step backwards for environmental efforts.
This is understandable, but as experts highlight the practice can actually enhance conservation.
Certification programmes like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) ensure that trees are harvested responsibly, balancing economic needs with ecological preservation.
They state that forests farmed for trees can store as much carbon as unmanaged ones when maintained properly.
By supporting sustainably-managed tree farms, procurement leaders can contribute to both climate solutions and biodiversity conservation.
The commercial viability of these farms also protect private forests, which make up over half of US forested land.
Without economic incentives, many landowners might turn to deforestation for development, making tree farming an essential tool for forest preservation.
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