Real Christmas trees do not harm our environment; they are grown on tree farm as an agricultural crop. Tree farms create thousands of jobs every year and promote money circulation within our economy. An article from the National Christmas Tree Association states that “85% of artificial Christmas trees are imported from China” contributing to the job loss of tree farmers in North America.

Other concerns in buying an artificial tree:

• Artificial trees contain non-biodegradable PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastics and possible metal toxins such as lead. Artificial trees can only be disposed when sent to a land fill to be burned, releasing harmful toxins into the atmosphere. More Info
• According to The Children’s Health Environmental Coalition; “the manufacture of PVC creates and disperses dioxins, one of the most toxic man-made chemical known”. Released into the air and water, dioxins enter the food chain, where they accumulate in the fatty tissues of animals and humans, a potential risk for causing cancer, damaging immune functions and impairing children’s development.
• Dr. Richard Maas of the University of North Carolina conducted a test studying over 200 artificial trees. Through his studies he discovered that after leaving an artificial tree standing longer than a week, large amounts of lead dust would accumulate under the tree. More Info
• Further The Children’s Health Environmental Coalition states that, “Artificial Christmas trees are made of PVC and contain lead as well. Trees may shed lead-laced dust, which may cover branches or shower gifts and the floor below the tree”. This should be a major concern for parents with young kids.
• China being the leading producer of artificial Christmas trees may lead one to think about how safe their production measures are. The 2007 recall of Chinese toys in North America should bring attention to the possible level of lead manufactured into an artificial tree.
• The fear of lead contamination is so abundant, that warning labels are mandatory on many artificial Christmas trees.

Artificial trees contain dangerous levels of lead.  Artificial trees are a danger to the environment and to one’s personal health. Although these risks may be manageable, the negative health implications related to owning an artificial tree cannot be ignored. Real trees have advantages that live on past the holiday season; they help the environment and the economy. So Go Green this season with the environmental choice of a REAL tree.

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