Decorating your home with a real Christmas tree allows you to enjoy a wonderful smell and natural look that artificial trees just can't match. And if you go to a tree farm to cut the tree yourself with family or friends, you'll also get the kind of memories that can't come from selecting a plastic tree in a department store.
Real Trees - A Green Option
The Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario promote selecting a real tree as the more environmentally-friendly option. This is because the trees are farmed (not cut from a forest), grow in ten-year cycles (so the crop of oxygen-creating trees never disappears), and because when you dispose of your tree properly it can be used as mulch or wildlife habitat and will eventually biodegrade completely (unlike discarded synthetic trees).
Real Trees Aren't For Everyone
That said, real trees do come complete with shedding needles, a need for daily watering, and added fire safety concerns. You may not have the time or desire to go out and look for a new tree every year, and families can have memorable fun setting up any tree, as long as they do it together.
Every Christmas is Different
Whether or not a real tree is right for you and your family this holiday season is something only you can decide. But if you've never had a real tree, it could be fun to keep your artificial tree packed away this year and visit a tree farm for the experience, or to take a walk through a tree lot to see if anything catches your eye and your holiday spirit.
