Choosing an eco-friendly Christmas tree: Real or fake?

So this Christmas, you've decided to spread some holiday cheer to the environment.

You're cutting down on gift wrap and limiting the last-minute driving trips to the mall. Steps like these are pretty clear-cut, but then there are others - like buying a Christmas tree - that may warrant more consideration.

On one hand, decorating a real Christmas tree may be more eco-friendly because it can by recycled. On the other hand, using an artificial tree means you're producing less waste each January.

So what's the real bottom line? While a case can be made for buying both live and artificial trees, most experts agree that real trees are better in terms of environmental impact. However, before making the right decision for your family, it's a good idea to examine the pros and cons of each.

Q. Why are artificial trees so popular?

A. Convenience is the No. 1 advantage for artificial trees, experts say. They can be easily set up and stored whenever you're ready. These trees require no daily maintenance or pine needle cleanup, and they carry a minimized fire risk.

On the eco-friendly side, their main plus is reusability - an artificial tree can last for years. For this reason, families with such trees usually save money.

For years, Linda Witt alternated between using a real and fake tree. "Finally, one year, I said, 'Enough,'" recalls the West Chicago mom. "I didn't like the mess, the cleanup and the safety worries with the kids around."

She also sees an environmental upside. "You're not cutting down a real tree and having to replace it and wait years for its growth," she says.

What are the downsides of artificial trees

A. For many families, selecting a real tree is a tradition, so in using a fake tree, you miss that 'authentic' Christmas experience, experts say.

Year-round storage may also be challenging. And since most trees are made overseas, such purchases don't result in a local economic benefit.

Eco-wise, artificial trees are made with polyvinyl chloride, one of the worst non-renewable plastics out there.

"So what do you do with it when you're done?" says Doris Taylor, plant information specialist at the Lisle Morton Arboretum. Often, they end up in landfills.

When you consider the complete manufacturing process - including shipping, usually from China - most experts agree that buying an artificial tree leaves a much higher carbon footprint.

What are the benefits of choosing a real tree?

A. Aside from tradition and the smell, most real trees are grown on local tree farms and can be recycled.

"They can be grinded and used as mulch," Taylor says.

If you buy from a nearby nursery, your purchase helps the local economy and may also benefit a good cause.

For years, Mark Goodman's Sherwood neighborhood in Arlington Heights has purchased live trees in bulk. Each family decorates their tree and places it about 10 feet from the street, producing an "amazing" nighttime view.

"You get this wonderful continuity of trees," he says. "It's a nice way for the neighborhood to do something together."

The best part? The trees, which are delivered to the neighborhood, are also picked up for recycling after the holidays.

A real tree also offers an educational advantage, says Bob Schildgen, who writes an environmental advice column for Sierra Magazine.

"Kids can learn about nature, the environment and the life cycle of a tree," says the San Francisco writer known as "Mr. Green."

What are the downsides of real trees?

A. Tops is probably the maintenance they require, and in tough economic times, cost is another important factor, experts say.

Their needles can create a mess and a higher fire hazard. Eco-wise, farmers who grow real trees likely use various chemicals and pesticides, which can pollute local watersheds. It's difficult to determine which farms use what, Schildgen says.

In addition, the sheer number of trees leftover after the holiday may be a waste for towns who aren't prepared to properly handle them.

So, then what's the best-case tree scenario?

A. Buying a real tree from a local organic nursery is hard to top, experts say, as these farmers use minimal chemicals.

Bottom line, if you're willing to do some homework on nearby organic tree farms and pay a little more, you'll "have no qualms" that you're truly doing what's best for the environment, Schildgen says.

In the grand scheme of things, how important is choosing the right tree?

A. "It's not the most burning environmental issue," Schildgen says. "People should be doing the little things like this but don't lose sight of the big picture. If you're driving all over the universe to shop in an SUV, you're having much more of an environmental impact. It's important to see the total impact of your holiday behavior."