Choosing a Christmas tree is a personal decision driven by lifestyle, budget, and desired holiday aesthetic. Finding the “best” tree involves navigating trade-offs between tradition and convenience. This choice requires evaluating factors like maintenance, cost, environmental impact, and decoration preferences. Ultimately, the right tree serves as the centerpiece that best fits the unique needs of the household.
Real Versus Artificial: The Core Decision
The choice between a fresh-cut evergreen and a reusable artificial tree is the first significant hurdle for many shoppers. A real tree offers an authentic, natural pine or fir scent that artificial options cannot replicate, but this comes with the recurring annual cost and the requirement for daily maintenance like watering.
Artificial trees provide a long-term investment, saving money over many seasons while eliminating the need for watering or cleaning up fallen needles. The convenience of assembling a tree from storage is a major draw, but it requires storage space during the off-season and a higher initial purchase price.
From an environmental standpoint, an artificial tree has a large carbon footprint, primarily due to manufacturing materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and long-distance shipping. Real trees have a much smaller footprint because they are renewable, biodegradable products grown on farms that sequester carbon.
To offset the environmental cost, an artificial tree must be reused for at least 12 years. Real trees support local tree farms, maintain green spaces, and can often be recycled into mulch after the holidays.
Selecting the Right Real Tree Species
For those who choose a real tree, the species selected determines the scent, branch strength, and tolerance for drying out indoors.
- Fraser Fir: Widely favored for excellent needle retention, minimizing mess throughout the season. It features sturdy, upward-turning branches that easily support heavier ornaments.
- Balsam Fir: Known for having the most potent and classic Christmas scent. While it offers good needle retention, its branches are lighter than the Fraser Fir’s, making it best for those who prioritize fragrance.
- Scotch Pine: A highly practical option boasting excellent needle retention, even if the water level temporarily drops. Its stiff, strong branches make it suitable for a wide range of ornaments, and the needles remain attached even when dry.
- Douglas Fir: One of the most widely available and affordable options, characterized by soft, sweet-scented needles. It has a good, full shape, but moderate needle retention requires diligent watering, and its softer branches are best suited for lighter ornaments.
Understanding Artificial Tree Features
Shoppers selecting an artificial tree must first consider the material used for the “needles,” which dictates realism and price. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is the most common and least expensive material, made by cutting flat sheets into ribbon-like strips twisted onto wire branches. PVC trees offer a dense, full look but appear flatter up close.
Polyethylene (PE) trees are the premium choice, as the needles are injection-molded using casts from real branches. This process creates three-dimensional tips that mimic natural texture and curvature, resulting in a more realistic appearance. Many manufacturers use a mixed-tip design, placing PE tips on the outer branches for realism and using PVC tips as filler near the trunk for volume.
Another feature to consider is the lighting option, specifically pre-lit versus unlit trees. Pre-lit trees save the effort of stringing lights and are available with either incandescent or modern Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs. LED lights consume less energy, produce almost no heat, and have a much longer lifespan.
The final consideration involves the tree’s silhouette, which should match the available space. Traditional artificial trees feature a full, wide base that requires ample floor space. Narrow or slim-profile trees maintain the height but have a much smaller diameter, making them ideal for apartments or smaller rooms.
Ensuring Longevity and Safety
Real Tree Care
When buying a fresh-cut tree, check for freshness by gently pulling on a branch; needles should not easily fall off, and the outer twigs should be flexible, not brittle. Once home, make a fresh, straight cut across the trunk’s base, removing about a half-inch of wood to allow for maximum water absorption.
The tree stand should hold at least one quart of water for every inch of the trunk’s diameter. The water level must not be allowed to drop below the base of the trunk, especially during the first week when absorption is highest. Proper hydration is the most important factor for needle retention and fire resistance. Plain fresh water is all that is required; additives like sugar or aspirin are unnecessary.
General Safety
For both real and artificial trees, fire safety is paramount. The tree must be placed away from all heat sources, including fireplaces, radiators, and heat vents. If using lights, ensure that all strands are in good condition without frayed wires or cracked sockets. Always turn off the tree lights when leaving the house or going to sleep to minimize fire risk.