By: Westyn Gage

     With the holidays approaching quickly, it’s time to get your trees out to celebrate and decorate. When choosing a tree, there are many options, with the two main choices being whether to purchase a real or artificial tree. Artificial trees came into production around 1883 while real trees started to be used for Christmas early as 1419. The Squire has conducted some research to help you determine which type of tree to choose this holiday.

     According to Real vs. Artificial Trees: Which Are Better for the Planet?, since artificial trees are made of materials that are harmful for the environment, real trees are better for the environment than fake. Artificial trees may be bad for the environment, but, if you recycle them after you’re done with it instead of throwing it away, it can be reused. Additionally, a real tree isn’t an option for everyone. Many people may not be able to get a real tree. For example, some people may have allergies to real trees, so they have to get fake ones instead. When considering which type of tree is for you, you’ll also want to think about maintenance. If you have a real tree, you must water it regularly, but, on the other hand if you get a fake tree, you don’t have to water it at all.

      The Squire interviewed Katrina Loree, my mother, who is an expert on this topic because she has had both a real tree and also a fake tree. Mrs. Loree told us that she had a real tree growing up and the thing she liked about it was that it smelled good. She also shared some of the things she didn’t like about it, which was that it left pine needles on the ground and one time there were spiders living inside of it and they ruined all of her presents. The Squire then asked her what she liked about having a fake tree and she said she likes how easy it is to put up and that she can put it up earlier than a real one. She did not share anything negative about having a fake tree.

     Loree prefers artificial trees because of convenience and being able to put them up earlier. Everyone may not agree with her opinion, though, because everybody is different and likes different things. For some families, one of their favorite traditions is going to a farm and picking out a tree, while others are just as happy getting their tree out of the box and setting it up early in the season. Places where you can pick up an artificial tree are online, one site you can use is amazon but if you would rather pick it up in person you can go to a place like Walmart. If you would rather pick up a real tree for this holiday you can pick it up at a tree farm close to you. A tree farm that is close to Russell pa is LGL Tree Farm LLC in Pittsfield, PA