Carbon footprint
A two-meter tall Christmas trees carries an average carbon footprint of about 3.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2) if disposed of through methods such as wood chipping or burning. However, if they are left to decompose in landfills, their carbon footprint can rise to about 16 kilograms of CO2.
While some advocate for plastic trees, citing their reusability as an eco-friendly feature, the environmental impact tells a different story. For instance, a two-metre-tall artificial tree is estimated to have a carbon cost of 40kg when eventually thrown away. To put it into perspective, one would need to reuse an artificial Christmas tree for at least 12 years to match the eco-friendliness of a real Christmas tree.
Biodegradable vs non-biodegradable
Real Christmas trees offer significant environmental benefits as they are biodegradable and pose no chemical harm to their surroundings. Once composted, these trees can be repurposed as lumber, mulch, or fertilizers. Some real Christmas trees have even been strategically placed at the bottoms of ponds, rivers, and oceans to establish new underwater habitats.
Before being harvested, real Christmas trees play a vital role in supporting the natural ecosystem by providing shelter for various bird and mammal species while also actively sequestering carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. However, concerns arise from researchers who point out that these trees may not reach their full carbon sequestration potential as they are typically harvested in their “teenage years”, before reaching peak maturity.