Live or artificial: which Christmas tree to choose for Christmas
'04.12.2017'
Source: with the BBC
Christmas and New Year's Eve is the time when the tree comes to our home, taking the centerpiece of the entire celebration. We decorate it with garlands, lights and balls, and put wrapped gifts under the tree with love.
Of course, the right Christmas tree still needs to be chosen. But what is the right tree?
Recently, in the West, increasing attention is paid not only to the height and quality of spruce, but also to other factors: for example, concern for the environment, recycling issues or the impact on climate. The BBC asked the experts to share their views on which tree is preferable given all these factors.
According to Dr. John Keyser of the UK Carbon Fund, artificial Christmas trees are usually made from plastic, which, in turn, is made from oil.
This accounts for two-thirds of their so-called carbon footprint - a value that reflects the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere as a result of some kind of human activity.
Another quarter of the carbon footprint on the atmosphere is the process of making artificial wood itself.
The "carbon footprint" of a two-meter artificial tree is equal to the emission of 4 kg of greenhouse gases. This is 0 times more than a real Christmas tree that is thrown into a landfill, and more than 2 times compared to trees that are burned.
“So if you have an artificial tree in your home, it will need to be planted for at least 10 years for the climate impact to be lower than that of a natural tree,” explains Dr. Keizer.
According to Keyser, the method of disposal of this tree is much more important than its origin.
According to estimates of the Carbon Fund, the carbon footprint of a real two-meter Christmas tree without roots is 16 kg of greenhouse gases, if it is thrown into a landfill after the holidays.
This is because decay of wood releases methane, the greenhouse effect from which, according to the same stock, is 25 times stronger than carbon dioxide.
“Burning a tree at the stake, replanting it in the ground, or using sawdust for your garden will reduce its carbon footprint by 80%, down to 3,5kg CO2,” says Dr. Keizer.
So, the carbon footprint of living trees is much smaller than that of artificial trees, but what else should be taken into account?
The Wigan-based World of Christmas Trees company sells both live and artificial trees. Its products can be seen in airports, universities, reputable institutions and hospitals.
“We make fireproof artificial trees, which is very important for large public buildings,” explains CEO Stephen Evans. "And when living trees start to dry out, they become very fire hazardous."
According to him, hospitals also prefer artificial Christmas trees, because some patients are allergic to live needles.
Indeed, artificial Christmas trees have several advantages when used in large buildings. Well, at home? According to Evans, price remains one of the main advantages of artificial trees.
“They can be installed year after year, so the savings are huge,” he says. - Every year you can simply take out such a tree from the mezzanine, instead of going somewhere behind a living tree every time. In addition, pre-decorated trees are gaining more and more popularity. The bulbs are better hung on them than you can make yourself with all your efforts. And besides, these trees do not drop needles on the floor. ”
However, according to Harry Brightwell, chairman of the Association of Christmas Tree Producers, there is something in a live tree that cannot be replaced by anything.
“The look, the texture, the smell of a living tree makes it special,” says Brightwell. - Trees are like people, each of them is unique. The very process of buying a living tree, going after it in the company of loved ones, friends, neighbors, choosing the best size, shape, color - all this leaves the most pleasant memories. "
Ultimately, the choice is, of course, yours. If you are concerned about the carbon footprint and our influence on the planet's climate, then you need to proceed from how many times you are going to plant this tree or how you intend to get rid of it.
Other factors to consider when choosing a tree include cost, purchase effort, fire safety, allergy-causing potential and - yes, harmful insects that might lurk in it.
