Christmas tree emission comparison: real vs fake trees
Meanwhile, a real Christmas tree of the same size creates approximately 16 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions if it has been disposed of in a landfill (and therefore decomposes). If the real tree is burned after its use, then its disposal results in less than four kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions. Overall, the most environmentally friendly way of all to dispose of a natural Christmas tree is through chipping/shredding followed by being used as mulch, or even through being kept growing in a pot. As long as real Christmas trees are grown in a tree farm rather than harvested without being replanted, deforestation need not be a consequence of natural Christmas tree consumption.