Is it healthier to buy a real Christmas Tree?

Advent is here, and for many people, it means scrambling to get the Christmas tree up. Whether you like the festive season or not, the simple addition of a tree and some twinkling lights can be a wonderfully uplifting antidote to the long nights. However, the long-standing debate of ‘real or fake’ still stands, especially among the environmentally and health conscious tree-shoppers out there. 

That’s precisely why Healf has done a deep dive into the evidence, hopefully making the decision much easier for you this year.

While there are many arguments either way about whether to go natural or not, we start with the positive aspects such as air quality and immune benefits, as well as the comfort of tradition.

Improving air quality

If you have walked in a forest of pine trees, you will be familiar with the wonderful, fresh and almost exhilarating aroma they emit. And so it is no surprise that pine trees function to clean the air and that this quality extends into our homes once we invite them in.

The science: Simple as what you may have learnt in preschool science class, this air purification effect can be achieved by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. The oxygenating effect is especially good for our respiratory health in the winter months when oxygen levels, in general, tend to be marginally lower.

Benefiting our immune defences

Almost as if nature has an answer to all the nasty winter viruses out there — pine trees release essential oils like α-pinene and d-limonene, which reduce lung inflammation and boost immunity through their anti-inflammatory properties.

Providing a mood-boost

Natural Christmas trees can also provide a sense of stress reduction and wellbeing via a connection to nature, combined with a historical symbolism connecting us to our ancestors.

Exposure to live trees has proven to promote quicker recovery from stress and mental fatigue. It has been claimed that people living near nature report higher levels of well-being and life satisfaction, whilst the tradition of bringing evergreen trees indoors during winter dates back centuries and symbolises a connection to eternal life and spiritual renewal.

A herbal history of pine

The needles, bark, and oils of the pine have been used in traditional medicine to treat respiratory conditions for millennia. Pine essential oil helps ease congestion and reduce coughing, and pine bark extract has even shown potential for managing asthma and COPD. Pine needle tea is rich in vitamins A and C and has antioxidant properties.

Despite their glowing reports for our health, real trees may have a darker side.

Allergens and mould

Not all natural substances are made equal and some are, unfortunately, not so innocent when it comes to our health. Real trees, like many plants, can harbour mould spores, dust, and allergy-inducing pollen. Mould spores could also spread into air conditioning systems, worsening indoor air quality.

A study conducted by researchers at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Connecticut found that a (fresh) Christmas tree can increase mould levels in a room by up to five times their normal concentration. The researchers argued that this rise may be significant in the development or exacerbation of allergy symptoms and act as a trigger for asthma.

If you have mould exposure, symptoms might include watery eyes, itchy skin, and chest pain, among others. Please seek professional health guidance if this is the case for you, and make every effort to discard your tree as soon as it is no longer fresh to limit the risk of contamination.

Chemical contaminants

Many commercial Christmas trees are treated with pesticides and other chemicals during cultivation. These can act as irritants and be detrimental for many aspects of our health.

Glyphosate, a commonly used herbicide on Christmas tree farms, has been classified by the World Health Organization as "probably carcinogenic to humans." Other chemicals frequently applied to trees include chlorothalonil, atrazine, and simazine.

Research indicates that these substances can pose risks to wildlife and contribute to water contamination.

Tree maintenance

Besides the downfalls some trees may have for our health, they can also be just a bit cumbersome to manage for some people, even more so in the chaotic time of Christmas festivities and the additional cleaning, cooking and tidying it presents.

Regular cleaning is needed to manage falling needles. Trees can also dry out quite quickly over time, reducing their lifespan indoors if they are not properly maintained.

Real tree maintenance tips include watering your tree every day, especially for the first two weeks, using plain tap water and refilling the stand as needed. You should also check the water level morning and night, and don't let it drop below the fresh cut.

It might seem counterintuitive to suggest that growing trees is not good for the planet. After all, it seems everyone talks about planting more trees to help save the planet. But the correct answer may be more nuanced when it comes to our love for real Christmas trees.

The carbon expense:

The facts: A 2-meter-high real Christmas tree has a carbon footprint of 16 kg CO₂ if sent to landfill. For artificial trees, the footprint is higher at 40 kg CO₂, but they can be reused for multiple years.

Waste concerns:

The facts: Around 6 million Christmas trees are discarded in the UK annually, amounting to 160,000 tonnes of waste. Decomposing trees can produce 100,000 tonnes of methane, a greenhouse gas an astonishing 25 times more potent than CO₂.

Investment in resources:

The facts: Nordmann Firs, which make up 80% of real trees sold, take 10–12 years to grow to a height of 6 feet. This significant resource investment underscores the importance of sustainable tree disposal.

There are both many benefits and drawbacks to a real tree this Christmas. Many enjoy the authentic, sensory experience that only a real tree can provide, whilst others stress that the production of many commercial trees is more damaging to our environment than we once thought.

Still, for those who prioritise sustainability and health, opting for an organically grown and responsibly farmed Christmas tree is possibly the best way to reduce pesticide exposure and support environmentally friendly practices. If this is your preference, please search for certifications from trusted organisations or local farms that prioritise sustainable forestry.

Peach Hayne Organics:  Premium, fragrant, honest, certified organic Christmas trees grown naturally. A UK family-run organic farm in the heart of Devon, it’s the only farm in the UK that is registered and certified to sell organic-standard trees.

Christmas Forest:  “Every tree cut down is replaced with another”. Sustainable, ethical, fresh-cut Christmas trees, supporting reforestation and greener festive traditions.

Other advocates for sustainable trees say the best choice is a potted Christmas tree, replanted annually to cut your carbon footprint. If not, opt for recyclable non-potted trees; check your council’s website for free recycling services. And, for responsibly managed options, look for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, which often ensures minimal pesticide use and sustainable practices.

Responsibly real

Organic or not, here is how to be a responsible real tree owner:

• Recycle or compost your tree after the holidays to minimize its environmental footprint.

• Change of theme? Reuse decorations or donate them to charity shops to reduce waste.

• Consider a potted tree that can be replanted, offering a long-term eco-friendly option.
  
  

By being mindful of their potentially negative impacts, you can enjoy the festive season while reducing your impact on the planet or your health. Above all, Healf wishes you much happy rockin’ around the Christmas tree this year!