Real or artificial? Virginia Tech expert shares the most sustainable Christmas tree

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- With the holiday season fast approaching, the choice between a real or artificial tree hinges on more than a holiday tradition.

Virginia Tech sustainability expert Jennifer Russell explained how the environmental impact shifts depending on how long families keep their artificial trees. Research shows that an artificial tree must be reused for 7 to 10 years, resulting in a lower environmental impact than buying a new real tree every year for the holidays.

"When it comes to [deciding] to get an artificial tree instead of a real tree, it's down to someone's inclination [not to] cut down a tree unnecessarily," Russell said. "That leads us into this discussion of whether it's more environmentally [friendly] to use a real tree, which grows in nature, compared to an artificial one, which is made of plastic and metal, and everything that goes with all of that."

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According to Russell, real trees can be composted or mulched, returning nutrients to the soil, while artificial trees usually end up in landfills. This may affect whether families end up favoring natural trees for those who do not plan to reuse an artificial tree for at least 7 to 10 years.

Russell said the choice may be economic and recommends that those looking to get a real tree should find locally grown trees at tree farms in Virginia. This would reduce transportation, fuel and emissions.

Russell acknowledged how adding lights to artificial trees can actually reduce the tree's lifespan due to bent wiring or its usage period. Spinning lights, playing music or different lighting tends to increase the carbon and fuel consumption, resulting in a shorter lifespan. They are much less durable than the steel frame and plastic components, per Russell.

"If we take good care of it, we protect it, and we preserve it, then that may not have to be a risk, but it is something that's increasingly seen as we add electrical components to these trees," Russell said.

However, Russell emphasized that her research is not a one-size-fits-all, saying, "Your choice of tree is not going to be the biggest area of impact."

"If you're going to go with an artificial tree, try to buy it as locally as possible," Russell said. "So really minimize the transportation distance that needs to happen, and make sure it can be composted when it reaches [the] end of life."

However, business owners are warning consumers that they might see higher prices and fewer options for artificial Christmas trees, as they have been one of the hardest-hit holiday staples, as previously reported by NewsNation.

Russell added that reducing environmental impacts during the holidays is far more important than the Christmas tree, encouraging greener or sustainable choices during the holiday season. This includes carefully considering the gifts you're buying, using paper over wrapping paper and food travel and consumption.

"So in the big scheme of things, the tree is not going to have the greatest impact, but it is a really important starting point," Russell said. "And if you think about which tree to use from that perspective of the life cycle, where it came from, how we use it, and where it goes when we're done with it, that logic applies to everything else around us, our food, the gifts, the wrapping, all of that."