Artificial or Real Christmas Tree – Which Is Better?

Which type do Poles prefer? Euroflorist Poland, an online flower shop delivering flowers and decorations for the holidays, has observed that the search term “artificial Christmas tree” (average monthly searches: 27,100) is 652% more common than “real Christmas tree” (average monthly searches: 3,600). This suggests that Poles most often look for artificial alternatives.

Artificial trees have their advantages if:

• You want to decorate your home much earlier, even at the end of November

• You plan to reuse the tree for many years

• Cleaning fallen needles is not your favourite holiday chore

• The only available spot for a tree is next to a heat source

Real trees are not as long-lasting, require more care and logistics, and are often more expensive, but… their magical fragrance makes up for it all.

Still, the ecological question remains controversial: which is more environmentally friendly — real or artificial Christmas trees?

From an ecological perspective, real Christmas trees have an average carbon footprint of 3.5 kg of CO2, provided they are disposed of properly — either by shredding or burning. If, however, they end up in a landfill, their carbon footprint increases fourfold, reaching the equivalent of 16 kg of CO2 (Earth.org data).

In comparison, an artificial Christmas tree must be used for at least 12 years to match the ecological impact of buying a real tree every year.

When purchasing a real tree, it’s also important to ensure its legal origin, so that your purchase doesn’t support illegal logging. A real tree should always be bought from a trusted seller, and ideally from a certified plantation.

While decorating the tree is a joyful moment, taking it down is a task many of us tend to postpone. To make it easier, the Euroflorist team has put together a few eco-friendly options for removing a real Christmas tree from your home:

Recycling the tree

If you’re wondering “where to throw away the Christmas tree?”, some sellers offer recycling options after the holiday season. Check with your local vendor or plantation if such services are available.
Many municipalities also provide Christmas tree recycling, so it’s worth checking the city hall website or contacting them directly for details.

Shredding the tree

Shredding significantly speeds up decomposition, and the resulting wood chips make excellent garden mulch.
You can use a chainsaw for this task if you want to do it yourself. Many municipalities and sellers also offer shredding services — the wood chips are then composted at designated sites and used to enrich farmland.

Letting it decompose naturally

It may come as a surprise, but allowing a real tree to naturally decompose is also a good option. Christmas trees are biodegradable, and their soft wood breaks down quickly, enriching the soil with nutrients.
The decaying branches also provide shelter for insects and wildlife. Simply cut the tree into smaller pieces and place them in a shaded, out-of-sight corner of your garden.

If you bought a Christmas tree in a pot, you can of course replant it — giving it a second life in your garden. Planting a tree outdoors is a wonderful option, and if the tree is a few years old with a well-developed root ball, it should adapt well and become a beautiful decoration for your garden.

When is the best time to replant a Christmas tree (in the Polish climate)?
The ideal time is usually between March and April, when the ground has thawed and the risk of frost is minimal. In the meantime, keep the tree in a cool place (around 10°C), such as a garage with natural light or a stairwell, and don’t forget to water it.

Tips for replanting your tree:

• Choose the right spot and leave enough space for the tree to grow

• Dig a hole at least twice as wide as the root ball, and as deep as its height

• Leave the base of the trunk slightly visible

• Avoid damaging the roots, for example by compacting the soil too firmly

Choosing the right disposal method not only helps you get rid of the tree in an eco-friendly way, but also contributes to protecting the environment for the future.